Pace Yourself

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” - Henry David Thoreau, American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher, 1817-1862

At some point we were just dependent on others for where we went…our direction, our speed, and even our destination.

Then, we started to crawl. At that point, we were applauded, cooed, and even photographed making a new way for ourselves. We crawled to and fro, and while we had a little bit more control of our pace, and a little over our direction, really, others were still determining our destination.

We started walking, and watch out, the pace quickened…and so did the desire for others to set our pace…walk faster, slow down, get up, sit down…they were all commands that were heard frequently. More applause, and more expectations from others...still, the photos and pride kept coming!

From there, we learned to run…almost as quickly as we walked, we attempted to dash about, and often it was true that the faster our pace, the harder the fall. Still, we kept running, for the times we did not fall, we reached that destination faster…and we started really having input on our destination (mostly because we could “get away” from people with our agility and size!). At that point, either the photos were blurry, or our advancements were less impressive to others, so the pace was not rivaled by photos.

So I ask you now: Who is controlling your direction, your speed, and even your destination? Are you setting your pace for you that is realistic and attainable…challenging while not insurmountable?

Whether you are crawling or walking, running or even sprinting in your life, your business, and/or with your family, I am not suggesting your "should" be at a particular pace, rather, please consider your pace for you, your business and/or your family. Is the pace at which you are moving allowing for both enjoyment and progression? If so, sounds like you are setting a sound “you-pace”, and if you are not balancing the fun and the forwarding, set a different pace. Either add something/someone, or remove something/someone from your “to do list”, and let your pace work for you instead of against you. Allow yourself to be dependent and driven your-way for where you are going, your direction, your speed and ultimately, your destination!