Sun, November 01, 2009 - 8:54:21

Step by Step

Whether or not you’re participating in this weekend’s New York Marathon, there are times when all of us are so overwhelmed that at the end of another hectic day, we feel as though we’ve sprinted 26.2 miles.  But, as any winning track and field coach can tell you, winning a big race can’t be accomplished when running at full speed the whole way through.  Instead, the best way to make it across the finish line first is to get small and then get going.

No matter what challenge you face, be it a world-class athletic event or a week packed with meetings, conference calls, play dates, and social commitments, the natural inclination is to look at it as one imposing whole.  But, by doing so, you’re likely to fall down in defeat before you even start.  So instead of changing your plans, change your outlook and use the technique famed runner Paula Radcliffe employed in order to win the New York Marathon a whopping three times: take baby steps.

In order to make the long-distance run, Paula Radcliffe literally counts each and every footfall, knowing she’s hit another mile after counting to 100 three times. Sure, it might seem like a counter-intuitive approach, but by counting each real or figurative footfall and celebrating your tiny victories, you will give yourself the motivation you need to make it through to the end. 

When you have a huge deadline, attempting to multi-task or try to do everything at the same time can feel tempting, but even a little worm can tell you that moving along inch by inch is an effective way to reach your final destination.  So, instead of rushing through a million tasks at once, inch along and complete each one well before moving on to the next.  Not only will you reduce your risk of making careless mistakes, you will gain a sense of accomplishment from achieving each mini-task.

As Lao Tzu famously said, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”  So, take your focus off of that last mile marker and start concentrating on the small stops you need to make along the way.  Before you know it, you’ll be making great strides.

Posted by Linda and Robin