As much as I really did not enjoy my high school years at an all girls school in Pretoria, a key life lesson that was drilled into us, that has stuck over the years, is the importance of 'commitment'. If you commit to something, then you make jolly sure that you see it through, be it homework, a sports activity or social engagement. At the time I thought it was a lot of "blah blah - fish-paste-whatever..." but over the years I have come to realise the magnitude of the importance of commitment.
If you've committed to something, then invariably, there are other people that will depend on you to see it through. I had an interesting incident some time ago where I was meant to drive through to an early morning running race, about an hours drive to be at the start on time. I found out that there was a fellow runner in the area also heading to the race, so suggested that we drive together. On the wet Cape Town morning, at 04:30 - the agreed upon time to meet up, came and went and no reply was received on messages left. I then had to make the call and leave for the race, as I still had to find the place and navigate the wet roads. I ended up being late for the race and started seven minutes after the starting gun went off. Although it was an exciting challenge to see how many people I could catch up with and over take and it was a beautiful race along the wine lands of Stellenbosch, I continuously thought and worried about the people that were supposed to have driven with me. I worried whether something had happened to them - were they OK? I hated the fact that I had committed to giving a lift and then had to leave sans them. When I got back to my car after the race (which I completed in a very respective time, and did not come stone last!), I received a very nonchalant text that travel companions had a late night and had forgotten to let me know that they were not intending to get up early and run.
I do understand that life happens, and cancelling things are inevitable, but I do also think that opting out and finding excuses to cancel things last minute happen too easily these days.
Opting out on a whim and cancelling something that you've committed to not only let's down a lot of people but it does not do you any favours either. Yes, it was 100% my own fault for first of all offering that lift, and for worrying about them during the race, instead of focusing on enjoying the race. However it was a good reminder of the commitment lesson taught so many years ago.
Excuses and cancelling commitments damages reputations - if you can't commit to something small, what are the chances you can be trusted with something bigger?
Friday, 16 January 2015
Thursday, 1 January 2015
It's all about successful running, be it a business or on tar
The similarities between running a race and running a business are incredible! 2014 had been an extraordinary year of running and growing Reputation Matters and upping my running game.
On my longer runs I get a lot of time to think. These are the similarities I've thought of when it comes to running a business and putting rubber to tar:
Set goals and review them regularly. I don't think I would have achieved the growth in the company if it weren't for clear goals; more than doubled the turnover, profit and increased the team, and run the distances that I had never even dreamed of - did my first half marathon in March and then also did two others after that! Where a 10km used to be a major milestone, my long training distances have increased to 24kms! The important thing to keep in mind about goal setting is to make sure that they are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound.
Have a team on your side - the Reputation Matters team has grown to nine full time employees. Each bringing their own unique skill and personality to the mix of being an incredibly dynamic team. I won't lie, it has taken a lot of time and hard work to get a team together that works so well together. When it comes to running, it is quite a solo sport, but things really changed when I joined the local running club - Hout Bay Harriers at the beginning of the year. The camaraderie, support and motivation has really given running a whole new dimension. I realised that it is not a solo sport, there is nothing quite like seeing fellow club members at a race, or meeting up for an early morning Sunday morning run.
Having a team keeps you accountable to them and to yourself to give of your best and not to let each other down.
Equipment - you are not going to get very far if you don't have the right equipment and tools. If you are dressed for the part, half the battle is won. Invest and use technology to your advantage, there are apps and tools for everything to keep track of progress these days.
Stretch! your mind muscles - Running a business is all about practising and importantly testing and measuring to see what works best for the efficiency and effectiveness of the business. Stretching the mind is just as important and the keeping up to date with trends. Reading is a wonderful way to learn from others and keeping your grey matter active.
When it comes to running, it is all about practicing and training, you can't expect to achieve your goals without putting miles on your legs. With that said, it is just as important to cross train and not to neglect your core or to forget stretching before and after a run. Trial and error is important to work out what works for you. Two rice cakes with jam and a cup of coffee is perfect for a half marathon and a Pronutro bar magic for a 10km.
Keep the momentum going - often with running I found that as soon as I stopped for a break I broke the rhythm and it took twice as long to get back into it. So for shorter runs, the best is to keep going, but I recently learnt the importance of taking short walking breaks on longer runs - they are lifesavers and helps you to run a lot further. During a recent training run, the group ran 13 minutes and walked for two - those two minutes were heaven sent especially going up a gruelling uphill (Llandadno to Hout Bay), but it did help me to run the furthest I've ever gone (24kms!)
Ditto for running a business, getting into a rhythm of working on the business and looking at different ways to grow and build the business is important. With that said, breaks and holidays are just as important. It gives your mind and body a chance to recharge the batteries so that you can do so much more with renewed energy when you are back at work. It also gives you an opportunity to explore and do new things that you don't necessarily get a chance to do during normal working hours, and helps you to get a new perspective on things and often helps to think about things differently.
Here's to another successful year of running a business and breaking PBs on the road!
On my longer runs I get a lot of time to think. These are the similarities I've thought of when it comes to running a business and putting rubber to tar:
Set goals and review them regularly. I don't think I would have achieved the growth in the company if it weren't for clear goals; more than doubled the turnover, profit and increased the team, and run the distances that I had never even dreamed of - did my first half marathon in March and then also did two others after that! Where a 10km used to be a major milestone, my long training distances have increased to 24kms! The important thing to keep in mind about goal setting is to make sure that they are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound.
Have a team on your side - the Reputation Matters team has grown to nine full time employees. Each bringing their own unique skill and personality to the mix of being an incredibly dynamic team. I won't lie, it has taken a lot of time and hard work to get a team together that works so well together. When it comes to running, it is quite a solo sport, but things really changed when I joined the local running club - Hout Bay Harriers at the beginning of the year. The camaraderie, support and motivation has really given running a whole new dimension. I realised that it is not a solo sport, there is nothing quite like seeing fellow club members at a race, or meeting up for an early morning Sunday morning run.
Having a team keeps you accountable to them and to yourself to give of your best and not to let each other down.
Equipment - you are not going to get very far if you don't have the right equipment and tools. If you are dressed for the part, half the battle is won. Invest and use technology to your advantage, there are apps and tools for everything to keep track of progress these days.
Stretch! your mind muscles - Running a business is all about practising and importantly testing and measuring to see what works best for the efficiency and effectiveness of the business. Stretching the mind is just as important and the keeping up to date with trends. Reading is a wonderful way to learn from others and keeping your grey matter active.
When it comes to running, it is all about practicing and training, you can't expect to achieve your goals without putting miles on your legs. With that said, it is just as important to cross train and not to neglect your core or to forget stretching before and after a run. Trial and error is important to work out what works for you. Two rice cakes with jam and a cup of coffee is perfect for a half marathon and a Pronutro bar magic for a 10km.
Keep the momentum going - often with running I found that as soon as I stopped for a break I broke the rhythm and it took twice as long to get back into it. So for shorter runs, the best is to keep going, but I recently learnt the importance of taking short walking breaks on longer runs - they are lifesavers and helps you to run a lot further. During a recent training run, the group ran 13 minutes and walked for two - those two minutes were heaven sent especially going up a gruelling uphill (Llandadno to Hout Bay), but it did help me to run the furthest I've ever gone (24kms!)
Ditto for running a business, getting into a rhythm of working on the business and looking at different ways to grow and build the business is important. With that said, breaks and holidays are just as important. It gives your mind and body a chance to recharge the batteries so that you can do so much more with renewed energy when you are back at work. It also gives you an opportunity to explore and do new things that you don't necessarily get a chance to do during normal working hours, and helps you to get a new perspective on things and often helps to think about things differently.
Here's to another successful year of running a business and breaking PBs on the road!
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