I manage it by going at my own pace. I get regularly told how laid back I am - it’s a Jamaican ‘ting,’ don’t let the calm exterior fool you. I’m committed; I understand the need for urgency. It’s just that I’ve fought long and hard to rid myself of the negative compulsion of comparison and the unhealthy need to compete. Back then, my focus was no real focus because I was so concerned with my competition and what they were doing. And when I didn’t live up to
their standards, I would beat myself up about it.
It was destructive and stupid.
I’m proud to say that if I need to burn the midnight oil on an overdue writing project, I won’t be checking on my competition to see if the lights are still on in their bedroom.
If I need to get up early in the mornings to start my day with a run, I’m not checking whether my competition is lacing up their trainers.
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If I need to promote my work in a new way, I don’t need to stop and check if the competition has already done what I’m thinking of doing.
In the nicest possible way, I don’t care what the competition is doing. I’m more concerned about my plan of action and how I’m going to execute it.
My mom used to say that the race is not for the swift but for those who can endure to the end.
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A sense of urgency is essential to get things done, but it needs to be aligned with the ability to pace yourself and be ready for a quick burst of energy when it really matters.
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Burnout benefits know one and takes you out of the game completely, which is certainly not what I want. So I control how I work. This is a long term game. Plan your progress, or at least realize that you’re in this for an extended period.
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By all means, live in the moment, but realize that there many more moments to be had, God willing.
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'I did learn the lesson, Mom'.Â
Life is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself.
