Press Through the wall to the finish line!

As we speed into fall and the excitement of football and baseball playoffs, an enemy to our work performance quietly waits to snare us in its tentacles. The burst of energy that we began the year with has worn off, and we’re still far enough away from the urgency created by the end of the year.

I’ve always heard about the “wall” experienced by marathon runners, but have only one 10k race to my credit although I have experienced it in other athletic training. A recent aggressive walking campaign revealed a very minor example of what I believe the marathoners experience, which is why I want to use it as a business illustration.

Runners describe the physical and mental pain that occurs around mile 20 of the 26 and change mile race because they run out of energy. The result is that the runner wants to quit to eliminate the pain, and has to do everything in his or her mental power to overcome that desire.

If the runner quits at the onset of pain, they will never complete the race. As I mentioned, when I began walking, I wanted to quit within the first mile because of the discomfort I felt.

Likewise, in business, it isn’t uncommon to experience a lull in attitude and effort in the late summer and early fall. Management often focuses motivational efforts on encouraging a fast start to the year and finishing the year strong, which misses an opportunity to stimulate production at a time it is most needed. If the business loses momentum, it is very difficult to recapture it in order to impact the year-end effort.

If the runner is successful in persevering through the wall, the pain subsides and the adrenaline rush enables him or her not only to finish the race, but also to do it with a flurry of energy. I noticed that after I pushed through the pain of the early part of my walk, I could virtually go on and on for several miles.

In business, it means that we have to shake off the desire to coast, and act like it is time to sprint to the finish line at the end of the year. If you’re in management, it is time to work with your employees to inspire them to perform at their best levels.

What if you don’t work under any kind of incentive plan? In spite of your first thought to think that this doesn’t apply to you, NOW is an excellent time to show management that you are an exceptional employee by outperforming others who succumb to the loss of energy. Differentiating yourself can lead to a whole new view of your capabilities by management, raises and promotions.

If you’re feeling lethargic, don’t feel alone. The question is what are you going to do about it? Succumb to the pain and coast to the end of the year? Or, press on through the pain, and begin a high-energy campaign that carries you to an exceptional finish to your year?

I look forward to seeing you at the finish line, triumphant!

© 2006 Richard V. Battle