Any experienced marathon runner knows the importance of pacing himself in order to finish a race.
As one runner said, “I will never forget my first marathon. I went all out and sprinted at the beginning of the race, later I had cramps and barely made it walking across the finish line.”
Like marathon runners, if we don’t want to burn out or have to give up, then we need to be wise and pace ourselves by living our lives at a sensible speed. There is an art to setting a marathon pace in life. Here are three practical tips to help:
Make pacing a priority
Trying to do it all now can become more important than moving at a consistent pace. We want it all done and done yesterday. We discount the wisdom of sayings like “Inch by inch it’s a cinch.” As one client said, “I want it finished and behind me.” She wanted her business up and growing rather than the slow consistent process of completing one entrepreneur task at a time.
Allow for time to rest and renew
Even when we admit the importance of pacing ourselves we still fail to build in the necessary margins in order to thrive. Margins are the empty spots on our calendars we purposefully allow so that we have the time and space to rest. As Richard Swenson writes, “Margin is the gap between rest and exhaustion, the space between breathing freely and suffocating. It nourishes both relationship and service.”
Schedule life-giving activities
Besides necessary down times that refresh our weary bodies and souls we all need to counteract the ongoing daily stress of life by making time for what renews and recharges us. One client schedules lunch with a good friend every other week. Another schedules regular phone calls with a close friend who lives across the country. They pray together and encourage one another in this battle called life.
Some life-giving activities that replenish me are immersing myself in God’s Word and his creation, journaling about the many gifts he has given me, doing something fun with friends and family, and allowing time to organize my home. These go far to help me replenish my diminishing resources.
Start now to make pacing a priority, allow the space to rest and renew, and schedule time for those life-giving activities. Not only will you be able to go the distance more easily, but you will bless the lives of those around you.
Reflection for Gaining More: What or who will helps you recharge and renew?
