Blessing Mpofu

Reflections From We Run Jozi – Part One (The Crowd)

I will be doing a series from my experience(s) and reflection from Nike’s We Run Jozi. Subscribe by email or RSS to ensure you don’t miss a post in this series ;-)

Running a long distance race has always been one of those dreams I’ve had. After my experience I now have a better idea. I learned a lot of lessons while preparing for We Run Jozi. It is only appropriate that I share my experience(s) and reflections of the race. FYI: I did run the 10 kilometer race and complete it.

This was the longest single distance race I’ve ever run. I did not manage to clock the time I was hoping to and missed it by one minute and forty seconds. (At least according to Nike + App. I’m still waiting to get my official time). An experience I am very likely to do again in the future.

At some stage during the race my mind wandered (as it sometimes does) to an earlier post while preparing for the run. It was not helpful during the race but helped me process more lessons.

The Crowd

As I’ve said this was my first experience running a 10km race. (I ran track in school and before this I run to help keep fit when I can’t get to the squash courts). Apparently there were about 20,000 people who registered We Run Jozi 10K.

I’m not yet sure how many people actually ran. It was great to be at the start line among so many friendly people. But it wasn’t that great when we started. It wasn’t so great because of the number of slow people in front that did not make it any easier to start making serious tracks.

There can be no race without the crowd. Thus the race is about distinguishing yourself from the crowd. After breaking out of the crowd I ran in another crowd that kept more or less my pace.

At some point there were some runners who stopped to take pictures of each other. They were having a blast and I was not. This is because I had a time to beat and they just happened to be in front of me.

You may be in one race but people run for different reasons. Not everyone running in the same race you’re in is running for the same reason. While we were all heading to the finish line we did not value everything the same.

For some the experience of being in a crowd of runners was enough. For others finishing the race, no matter how long it took, was the object. And for others, like me it was to finish the race in a certain time.

Leadership

Values

The aforementioned is important to note for both life and leadership. Those you lead may be headed to the finish line with you but valuing things differently. Some on your team are more concerned with doing things right no matter how long it takes. Others just want to finish, despite what the “product” (whatever your “product” or result is) looks like.

When leading people keep in mind that their values may not be same as the ones you would like to them to have. Also, while all of you may embrace the same values some place greater emphasis and respect on some of your values than others.

Not everyone will care about the same things with the same intensity. It is important for the leader to emphasize the importance of each value in its context.

Momentum

A crowd can can be give you attention you need and overwhelm you at the same time. It can be the source of great momentum and the reason for its decline. From a distance people could see great crowd we were when we ran.

Those running can share the frustration of having to find ways around people moving slower than they. The point? ‘Momentum drainers‘ will always be there despite the size of the crowd. As in the run, you may have to find ways around them.

You may have to confront them, for example, by asking them to make way so you can pass. Whatever it is be aware that momentum will not always sustain itself but must be nurtured.

Life

Do not fight with people who do not share the same values as you. Find a way to push past them without tarnishing your character or integrity. You will end up with mud if you wrestle with pigs!

Trying to get even with people for being in your way detracts from your mission in life and steals energy that you could be using in reaching for your goals or dreams. Get around those in your way and stay focused on your goal. Forget the crowd and focus on your goals.

Your thoughts?

Building a Following

No doubt, no man is an island. Nor can one man accomplish anything significant on his own. This calls for abilities and strengths in others around him. Enlisting support is necessary for realizing vision. However, there is something everything heretic (must) understand(s).

Everyone

Heretic leaders must learn not to try to get everyone involved in their cause. Yes you read that right. To just so you’re sure you read it right, here it comes again: Heretic leaders must learn not to try to get everyone involved in their cause. This is important especially in the early days.

Your cause does not and will not matter to everyone. Your challenge in garnering support for your enterprise is identifying those your cause will matter to. The people you must care the most about in building a following for your cause are those that share the same sentiments as you do. Trying to lead everyone will frustrate you and impede on realizing the cause.

the heretics's focus in building a following — small things can make a difference for the greater | image by opensourceway | cc

Other Heretics

It is easier for heretics to believe heretics. Stop trying to rally everyone & focus on heretics. No one cares more about change than other heretics; the ones who believe that change is necessary for growth and innovation.

Malcolm Gladwell in Tipping Point busts the myth that you need a throng of people to effect change. You don’t. Focus your energy on enlisting those that are ready for change or at least open to being convinced of the need for change. Only focus on the ones that are not willing to follow when it is absolutely necessary.

(Interestingly: the tagline to Gladwell’s book is, “How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference”)

Response(s)

So, what do you do when no one responds to your call the way you would like and enlists? For now ignore them and keep raising your voice. Raise awareness for what you are doing. Not only that be clear about why you are doing what you are doing.

Doing this consistently is evidence that you believe in your cause and that may be necessary testimony to present and potential supporters that your mission is worth pursuing. Your response is not to fight the naysayers; that will detract from your mission. Your response is to stay focus on the cause and building support.

One person can make a difference and everyone should try – John F. Kennedy

This Means

Heretics are often misunderstood and, as a result, not everyone will follow them. Even the greatest causes in the world do not have everyone following them. Rather have a small core of engaged and passionate supporters for your cause than a large indifferent crowd.

It is not the size of the crowd following but the impact they can make. Don’t stop punting your cause because you feel you are not great enough or that not enough people are following yet. Momentum is built up. Not everything you are going to do will get instant traction. Start by leading yourself and the few.

Your thoughts?

The Heretics’ Ego and Confidence

Ego and confidence are not the same. The fruit of both is bold expression of vision; a tangible passion, hence either being mistaken for the other. Being bold is a must for every heretic leader. Confidence is necessary for building significant support for your cause. It is easy for heretics to be considered arrogant because of challenging the status quo. Anyone challenging the norm is, at first, treated with suspicion and cynicism. If you are going to be successful in leading change, you must make peace with this fact.

the hretics' ego and confidence — **confident proclamation of your cause is necessary but don’t let ego get in the way** | image by celine nadeau | cc

For you, heretic, it is important to make sure that your ego does not get in the way and become a stumbling block. Be confident not arrogant. A healthy ego is necessary. However, a misdirected ego will easily jeopardize your cause. Crossing the line between confidence and being egocentric happens when you are more concerned about your reputation as an achiever and not the reform you want to bring about.

Arrogance comes to the fore when your focus shifts from the cause to people.

Heretics are inherently visionary. Hence the vision for greater is a very personal and intimate thing. This is why it will sometimes it will hurt when the naysayers assault your vision, methods or cause. Your ego can overtake you and blind you when you take an attack on your ideas personally. For heretics to survive the scourge of attacks they must not take anything personally. Consider any attack on the change you are bringing as an attack on your idea and not yourself. Some may attack you directly. When that happens direct the attacks to the idea and vision and not your person. After all, they would not raise their voice if you had not brought your ideas to the fore.

Arrogant rants will shift people’s focus from your cause to personalities

The display of ego is normally an invite for onslaughts against you. Confidence may have a similar effect on people… When this happens, express confidence in your vision and the ability of your team to make it happen. Including those that already back you affirms them and shows the critics you are not an egocentric maniac. Obsessing over protecting your ego will take the focus of what you trying to achieve. Heretics keep the cause at the heart of what their do. They value the cause more than their ego. They act in confidence for the sake of the cause and shun arrogance.

Remember, your cause is more important than your ego; put it first. Be bold. Be /ˈherətik/.

Grieving A Dream?

Grief is not an easy thing. While we all may grieve, they don’t grieve the same. We grieve the loss of loved ones, but that is not the only thing we grieve. We grieve everything dear to us.

Things that matter to us impact us greatly when they come into our lives and, sadly when they die a death of sort. Dreams are some of those things that dear to us. Intimate.

Continue reading “Grieving A Dream?”

Lessons From Preparing for We Run Jozi 10k

This post is a part of the We Run Jozi Series

I’m not as passionate about running as I am about squash (the sport). I would rather play squash than run. Despite this, I signed up to run Nike’s We Run Jozi 10 kilometer run. I’ve always wanted to run a ten and twenty kilometer run for the fun and experience.

This race happens to be very different from most hence my decision to run it. (I might just do a separate post to fully explain). We Run Jozi is a ten-kilometer night run on the 7th of October in Johannesburg. (Jozi is Johannesburg’s nickname).

I have not been as fit as I would like to be, but I hit the road in preparation just after signing up. If you want to complete, let alone win, a race you have no choice but to prepare. It is just downright stupid to get into a race you have not prepared for and expect to win. Do the work.

While preparing for the We Run Jozi 10k I’ve had reminders of lessons I already know. I know you’re like me. You don’t always remember everything you learn and need encouragement and reminders of lessons. Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learned or been reminded of as I prepare for the Nike Jozi 10k:

Prepare

This is rather obvious and I have already intimated that you have no choice but to prepare. Preparation is the first step to reaching your goals. Only a fool would want to start building something without counting the cost. How you prepare communicates how serious you are about something.

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe – Abraham Lincoln

If we your preparation is what to go by, how serious are you about your dreams or aspirations. You will only be able to perform to the level of your readiness.

Feelings

All have feelings. It is easy to do something when you feel like you can do it. In fact, most commitments are made at the height of emotion. The true test of your resolve is after the hype is gone. There are some days that I really do not feel like running. Sometimes I feel like not completing my goal for my run because I start feeling like I cannot continue.

When you have set your goals your feelings must become irrelevant if you are going to realize them.

Those who consult their feelings in pursuit of goals will soon see the demise of their goals. Once you set goals, do not consult your feelings. Set a time and routine and Just Do It. If you wait for your feelings you might never get started. Do what you need to do. Focus on what you’ll ultimately gain and not the momentary discomfort.

Target

My ultimate goal is to finish the 10-kilometer run in under an hour. This is a big deal for someone who does not like running. (I run because the squash courts are not close by and I need to keep fit). My primary goal in preparation was to run five kilometers consistently, non-stop. I have been slowly increasing my distance while trying to beat my average time.

You will never achieve your ultimate goal in one leap. You need the smaller or short-term goals.

Consistency

You will not get better with time. You get better with effort and commitment over time. Practicing inconsistently will not help you get better. It is when you consistently do things to keep getting better.

You must be intentional about your consistency.

Set a time and minimum distance everyday and see yourself getting better.

Small

Small changes combined become a big change. In my preparation I’ve made small changes that have caused significant growth. For instance, I’ve included that small ‘climbs’ (inclines). It has not been easy taking them on but it has helped me handle a longer incline on my run. You must not despise small, incremental changes by holding out on them with the hope to make one big change to better your game.

Small changes over time are easier to manage than one big sudden change.

Music

I have been using RunKeeper to record and measure my runs. However, at the moment I’m trying out Nike+. What I like about Nike+ is that I can manage the music from it. I’ve loaded the music that inspires me in the playlist. The lesson:

find inspiration to do what you set out to do as a way of countering the voices that tell you to quit.

The best way to deal with the voices of discouragement is to take on positive counter actions against them. Amplify your inspiration and not the ‘voices’ telling you to quit.

Do yourself a favour and check out the other posts in the series. Receive blog posts directly in you email or in your rss reader

What can you share from your preparations for a final showdown (like my 10k run)?