"Please stop waiting for a map.
We reward those who draw maps,
We reward those who draw maps,
not those who follow them."
- Seth Godin
This is one of my favorite quotes from the book Poke the Box (a definite must read for leaders, educators, mudders, and more).
Leaders have a responsibility to initiate the drawing of maps that will move their organizations forward. You have a responsibility as an individual to draw your own map towards whatever goal you are working towards. Unfortunately, these maps that we tend to follow often appear in the form of lengthy, comprehensive improvement plans. These plans are largely ineffective and people rarely get passed the first page.
I believe leaders/mudders should create a very different type of map. Think about creating a map that is similar to one that you would use in a GPS device. The end goal for "Our Year in the Mud" is competing in the World's Toughest Mudder in November. That will be the physical destination at the end of our year. We have also drawn a map that we believe will lead us to our destination. We have programmed this into our internal GPS devices.
The beautiful thing about a GPS device is that the maps provide structure for reaching your destination but still offer you choice and flexibility. Each one of us has a goal or destination that we are working towards. The problem comes when the route is so inflexible that you abandon the goal the moment you move off course. This is definitely the case with many resolutions that people make in the new year.
A GPS device is also relentless in getting you to your destination no matter how many times you fail. The device will reroute you no matter how many times you get lost in the journey. We recently began 2013 and we are already doing some of our own rerouting for "Our Year in the Mud". DC wrote about his regrouping plan and I proposed a schedule for January. These plans will continue to change as we move forwards. Sometimes we will be ahead of schedule while other times we will likely be behind. We also haven't charted all of our races which will give us some flexibility during the journey.
Another idea to consider is the length and complexity of your plan. Keep in mind that all the information you need from your GPS device typically fits on one page/screen. Leaders must take a GPS approach to moving organizations and themselves forward and exceeding goals. Put away the volumes of improvement plans that have done little to move you or your organization forwards. Instead begin creating your own map that provides structure, remains flexible, and fits on one page.
I believe leaders/mudders should create a very different type of map. Think about creating a map that is similar to one that you would use in a GPS device. The end goal for "Our Year in the Mud" is competing in the World's Toughest Mudder in November. That will be the physical destination at the end of our year. We have also drawn a map that we believe will lead us to our destination. We have programmed this into our internal GPS devices.
The beautiful thing about a GPS device is that the maps provide structure for reaching your destination but still offer you choice and flexibility. Each one of us has a goal or destination that we are working towards. The problem comes when the route is so inflexible that you abandon the goal the moment you move off course. This is definitely the case with many resolutions that people make in the new year.
A GPS device is also relentless in getting you to your destination no matter how many times you fail. The device will reroute you no matter how many times you get lost in the journey. We recently began 2013 and we are already doing some of our own rerouting for "Our Year in the Mud". DC wrote about his regrouping plan and I proposed a schedule for January. These plans will continue to change as we move forwards. Sometimes we will be ahead of schedule while other times we will likely be behind. We also haven't charted all of our races which will give us some flexibility during the journey.
Another idea to consider is the length and complexity of your plan. Keep in mind that all the information you need from your GPS device typically fits on one page/screen. Leaders must take a GPS approach to moving organizations and themselves forward and exceeding goals. Put away the volumes of improvement plans that have done little to move you or your organization forwards. Instead begin creating your own map that provides structure, remains flexible, and fits on one page.
Hey Brian...what's happening with the back to back run days? How's that going, so far?
ReplyDeleteThe back to back runs are going well. I did three on Saturday which is closer to a sprint. I'll move that up to 4 next week. I was scheduled to run 5 the next day. I finished the 5 and still felt good so I took Forrest Gump's advice and kept running. I ended up running 7 total. I have another five on tap for today. We'll see if I can maintain as the mileage adds up. You are already running 10s so I have work to do.
ReplyDeleteThat's great. My runs are going well. I'm not running as often as you, though. Like I said, my plan is to try to run the same distances each time but work on speed. I've gotten down below 8 minutes a mile on my 5-mile runs, and just over 8 minutes a mile on the 10-milers. My goal is to try and get down to 7 minute miles by Miami, but we'll see...
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