What’s Your Pace? Set the Right Speed for Long-Term Goals

Earlier this year, I signed up to complete my third half-marathon. I consider myself more of a finisher than a runner, but here I am again. I keep doing it because it represents a goal that stretches my physical and mental abilities, and because I’m simultaneously raising money with a group called Love Runs to fight human trafficking. (Our goal is $150,000, and your donation of any size at this link would be greatly appreciated.) Another motivator is that each time, I learn from the process of training and running in ways that add value to other areas of my life.

This year, I’ve experienced some setbacks with injuries and sprains, so I consulted a running expert to get some advice. I need to take care of my legs, ankles and feet so that I can improve my pace from last year. Developing and knowing my pace is critical to finishing well.

On “race day,” I might run out of the starting corral with a burst of energy fueled by the excitement and adrenaline of the moment. But for me, that burst will last about half a mile, and then I need to settle into a more sustainable pace for the remaining 12.6 miles. I have to:

• Know my optimal speed and capability.
• Use good running form.
• Do my pre-run stretching.
• Keep up with my hydration and nutrition.
• Tape certain parts of my legs (this is new to me!)
• Walk and run at intervals.
• Don’t compare myself to others’ pace.
• Push myself but don’t overdo it.

Know your leadership pace

We all have a variety of “marathons” to complete in our life and work. Those long-term stretch goals are more difficult or complex than anything we’ve attempted in the past. It may take more effort than we imagine or greater capabilities than we possess. It will require a lot of preparation and work. And we must determine the right pace to reach the goal. As a leader, this might include:

• Transforming a team to improve results.
• Launching a new product or service.
• Developing and implementing a strategic initiative.
• Improving performance, emotional intelligence, or capabilities.

This requires a shift from our norm to a new level of behavior, thinking and leading.

What determines your pace?

Most organizations establish annual or long-term goals at the start of the calendar year. As fall approaches, many evaluate their progress to determine if they are on course to meet year-end objectives. This is an appropriate time to review your pace toward upcoming goals and consider making adjustments as needed. Ensure that you have…

• A sense of urgency: Recognize the importance of achieving your long-term goals and the value they will bring. Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to take your time and may easily be distracted. Organizations that are scaling up, trying to mitigate risks or averting financial loss should move with a greater sense of urgency to avoid failure. At Love Runs, we interact with professionals who provide services to individuals who have been trafficked and understand where the donations go.
• A plan: Your endpoint should be time-bound, tracked and measured. Determine what you will do each day, week or month in pursuit of your goal. Commit to making progress step by step and adjust it when headwinds or environmental issues threaten your ability to reach the goal. Love Runs’ plan: we have a daily training plan with distance, cross-training and strengthening goals.
• Capabilities: Identify the skill sets you need to accomplish your goal. Make an investment in learning and gaining the skills that you may not possess or that are difficult to acquire. Hire experts, collaborate with others, get coaching, practice routinely. With Love Runs, we get training in good running form and proper shoes and host weekly group runs.
• Accountability: This should be part of your organizational or team goals, requiring the interdependent efforts of a group to achieve the goal. Regular progress reports, reviews on the results of each phase, encouragement, and frankly, some consequences for failure, are important. At Love Runs, we reach out to team members weekly to provide support and encouragement and share our wins in a social media group.

Communication – Talking about your goal, whether as part of marketing, employee engagement or organizational communications builds energy and commitment. Provide examples of the benefits to be derived, the importance of moving forward and the unwanted consequences of failure. At Love Runs, we share our goals with family, friends and colleagues to raise awareness.

As a leader of a team or organization, you are responsible for setting the pace for your group. This might mean stepping outside your comfort zone at times. By regularly challenging yourself beyond what feels easy, you can achieve even greater results. Like preparing for a half-marathon, you’ll find that tackling your goals with effort and intention will help you reach them.

Need more goal inspo? See what these 10 entrepreneurs set out to achieve in six months.