Olympic Wisdom: Organizing Is Like a Marathon

Do you long to win the gold from where you are now?  What does it take to be a champion?  This is the second  post in a three part series, “Olympic Wisdom”. In the first “Olympic Wisdom” post, we took at look at goal setting from an Olympian, and in the second post we looked at how to get the most out of coaching.  In this post, we’re going to talk about marathons and what we can learn from them, applying it to organizing.

Have you ever tried to organize your home office in a weekend, only to find three months later you had the same piles, chaos and overwhelm?  Crash and burn organizing is pretty common, and unfortunately rarely works.  It takes time to train your mind how to handle the flow of a space for long term maintenance.  It is possible, and there are some things to consider.

A few years ago I (race) walked a half marathon.  It was by far one of the most physically & mentally challenging things I’ve ever done (outside childbirth).  It is also one of my proudest achievements.  I still have the shirt and put it on every once in a while.  I am astounded at the mental and physical strength of those who complete a full marathon whether walking, running or otherwise.  It’s quite a feat, and I only had a taste with a half!

This Olympic season, I’ve taken notice of this event: the marathon.  Did you know that the men’s marathon is traditionally the last event of the modern Olympics?  No doubt it is a brutal contest and not for the weak or unprepared.  So, what does competing in a marathon teach about organizing?  Here’s the stages I remember and how I feel they apply to organizing…

1.  The start. At the start of any race, you’re in a sea of other people.  All walks of life, training, different strategies and own perspectives.  Surrounded by all kinds of different thoughts and personal truths, it’s important to remain true to who you are and run your own race.  Don’t be put off or influence by how you “should” be, keep your eye on the road and listen for the gun.

2. Pick your pace. Once the race starts, it’s easy to see someone going ahead of you and try to match their pace.  The truth is that they may slow down in the end or even be at a pace that won’t work for you.  There’s lots of organizing myths out there so being true to who you are can be a challenge.  Trust your instincts, and when you think something will (or won’t) work, you just might be right.  Be true to yourself and nine times out of ten you’ll go far.

3. The Wall. Everyone hits it: The Wall.  For the half marathon, it was a pathetic 8 miles for me.  Could it have been that I had only gone that far in a race … ever?  Maybe.  But at that moment, I hated that race, I resented the heat, my legs hurt, I had righteous blisters on both heels, I was nauseated from the performance nutrition “goo” I ate and I was totally sure I was not going to make it the 5+ miles I still had to go.  Yeah, it sucked, but I kept going.  Sitting down and quitting was not an option.  If you’re an Olympic marathoner, where’s the wall?  Mile 20?  What if you’re organizing?  Where’s the wall?  Where do you want to quit?  The point is not where it is, but that you push through it.  Some might call it a “pain tunnel”, but no matter what you call it it’s there.  So know it, prepare to stick with it and get to the other side.

4. The Finish Line. When you’re ending the race you see the finish line coming, sometimes quite a ways in the distance.  It will take 80% of your strength and sheer will to get there!  Organizing is the same, and somehow those small details can get lost in the end.  Make a list and a plan so it all gets done in the end.  You’ll be happier for it.

5. Taking care after the finish line. It’s just as important to recover, if not more.  No plan can lead to a rash of bad, bad things so be prepared.  Once you’ve organized and put your room together, know what your next course of action is.  Use your systems, re-evaluate when needed (like that heavy feeling in your stomach), keep up with things and take time out when needed.  I go through times when I know things are out of whack, and that’s when it’s time to step out and take time to pull it all together again.  Pull it together, and charge full speed ahead again.

Maybe you don’t want to run a marathon… I’m not sure I even want to walk one.  Maybe you don’t want to overhaul your home office.  I’ll tell you, neither one are for those who will “try” it.  You have to commit to get it done.  I’m not saying you have to drink the koolaid, but you do have to commit in your heart and mind.  Then, follow through and get it done.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the “Olympic Wisdom” journey.  I’m fascinated by these outstanding athletes and what they accomplish.  There’s so much to learn and too many stories to tell in one breath (or blog post).  It’s like a collection of hope, dreams, drive and commitment in a smorgasbord of sporting events.  The human spirit, life and all its lessons played out on a world stage.  It takes courage to step out and live your dreams, and we can all learn something from those who do.

So, here’s to you Olympians of the world: may all your dreams be golden!