Imagine the following scenario:
Two people are going to race on foot from Los Angeles to New York (2,789 miles).
One has a very strict plan. They will walk 20 miles every day, rain or shine. If they feel like doing
more, they are not allowed to. If they feel like staying in bed all day, they are not allowed to.
The other has no plan. It’s probably safe to assume they will put in some massive mileage days when they feel motivated. Other days, they will probably stay in bed because they aren’t “feeling it”.
Who do you bet on?
It’s an age old tale. Early on in life, we read about the Tortoise and the Hare. Later in life, you might read Great By Choice by Jim Collins, which is where the exact scenario I outlined came from.
Not to give away the ending, but the Tortoise wins. And so would the 20 mile march-er.
Why am I bringing it up?
Because in both fitness and in business, I see people operate in manic fits and starts. They get a clear vision on an ideal ending to this chapter of their story and they go racing off in that direction.
Fitness people vow to workout twice a day, every day and only eat things they chase down and kill themselves. They eat like shit all weekend, or for the last 10 years, then decide “Monday, I’m going all David Goggins! Woo!”
Business people read one chapter of Shoe Dog and decide they’re going to burn the candle at both ends, and go all in every single day. “Watch this world! I’m coming!”
Yet, the most successful people I see just focus on the process in moderation. Fitness people steadily go to the gym everyday, they do the work and they follow an 80/20 rule.
Business people set up their calendars so they can spend 30-60 minutes a day being proactive on their business.
That’s it.
Inevitably, the ones that went sprinting out of the gate never even make it past Vegas. The 20 mile marchers may still be back in Baker, but they’ll keep plodding along, and will eventually reach and pass the inconsistent, manic folks.
What’s the point?
It’s a long race. Pace yourself accordingly. Do the reasonable amount of work that you know you can do every day, and don’t stop.
You’ll get there.