LOGBOOK
I have never been very mindful about pacing myself. What has been my pattern is to move full force forward at an exhausting pace when something excites me - then collapse into mandatory rest. Sometimes that rest comes in the form of ill health.
Sunday, August 15th I participated in my first sprint level triathlon for the Maine Cancer Fund's Tri For A Cure. I was the swimmer on a relay team. It was all about pace. Throughout the Winter I gained strength, commitment, and momentum in the local pool. One stroke at a time. One lap at a time. One breath at a time.
Race day was a challenge as waves of 100 athletes entered the ocean race course in 3 minute intervals. As I watched brightly colored swim caps pass me, I had to bring myself back to MY pace. I met my goal - finishing - at my pace. I will keep swimming to keep me connected to pacing myself for the long-haul, a pace that is sustainable and brings me great joy!
We offer Paddling the Rapids groups to nonprofit leaders as a way to slow down the pace, reflect on leadership sustainability, and recommit to self-care. Consider joining us or inviting others.
Carol
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RESUPPLY
Randy Paush gives an unusual and poignant lecture on 'Time Mangement' (1:16:22). He tells us that the power of dreams gives us the first step toward accomplishment.
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch gave this lecture on Time Management at the University of Virginia in November 2007.
He is known for his famous last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed
McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your
Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave
advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal
goals. He died of pancreatic cancer in July of 2008.
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Scouting?
For more information,
to engage in a discussion about pacing yourself, to talk with us about professional development opportunities and/or to schedule a free 30-minute, sample, coaching-session,
click here to email us.
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 Reading the waters
Courageous leadership includes not only the big picture actions and decisions, but also the way we manage ourselves on a day-to-day basis. As leaders we are often asked to do more than is possible. Pacing is essential to leadership sustainability. Hear what a nonprofit leader has to say about pace.
Liz McCabe Park, Executive Director of Maine Campus Compact shares: "Pace/Pacem. When your job is to boldly go where no one has gone before, how can you set a pace to get there? Any steadiness I have comes from my focus on our purpose, not from the pace of my work. The very nature of our work is a series of starts, stumbles, and progress, so I've never really learned how to pace myself with it. But I have learned how to spot the difference between forging ahead and spinning my wheels. There is a tiny inner voice trembling sometimes, in the deep center of my mind or heart or soul - I don't really know its location. But I ignore it at my peril. When the work is boiling around me and I sense the shaky whisper, I know I need to slow the pace, create an oasis of quiet, and get another perspective before carrying on."
"How do I pace myself as a leader?" Ask this question of yourself. Ask it as part of your self-care planning. Ask it frequently and share your reflections or experiences with us.
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Steering the Course
The early bird special pricing ends August 31st!
New groups for Executive Directors will be starting in the fall of 2010 in Portland (October 14), Bangor (October 19), the Mid-coast (November 3), and any other area where there are eight leaders enrolled.
Contact us. We would be happy to schedule a conversation to see if this is a good fit for you.
COST: $750 tuition ($150 deposit holds your place);
Register by August 31st and receive a 10% discount ($675.);
Recommend a colleague who registers and receive a 10% discount ($675 or $600 if also qualifying for the early bird discount)
Groups for 2010 will be limited to 8 participants. Reserve your place today!
Here is what executive directors who have taken part in a Paddling group have to say: - There is no reason to assume that you are alone in your position. I gained an awareness of the similar challenges facing all executive directors, even more experienced directors.
- Being involved in a Paddling group is equal to several years worth of an ED's life.
- I always left the sessions "energized" despite a long work day.
- I appreciated the confidential environment [where it] felt safe to share.
Want to know who has participated? Go to our website to see the list of organizations that have supported their executive director's participation.
Want to ask people who have taken part in a Paddling group about their experience? Contact
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Guidebook
When we think of a simpler life style and slower pace, Amish culture may come to mind. This book takes us beyond our surface impressions into essential territory.
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy
By Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher
Forgiveness, a review by Steve Hopkins, January 22, 2008:
The shooting of children in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania in 2006 received national attention for at least three reasons: the violence in which five grade school children died and five others were injured; the tranquil setting in which it took place; and the way in which the local community and the families of those shot, forgave the shooter and comforted his family. Three teachers with experience and knowledge of the Amish communities of Pennsylvania collaborated to explain what happened to the rest and wrote Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy. They do an excellent job at explaining the differences among forgiveness, pardon and reconciliation. They tackle questions that many outsiders have about reconciling shunning with forgiving a murderer. We each choose how to live, and Amish Grace presents a way of living that's unfamiliar to most Americans. After reading Amish Grace, you'll never again think of forgiveness in the same way you do now.
"This balanced presentation . . .blends history, current evaluation of American society, and an examination of what builds community into a seamless story that details the shootings while it probes the religious beliefs that led to such quick forgiving. Recommended." -Library Journal
Do you have a book to recommend? Tell us.
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Navigation Tool
Time management is a conundrum for most leaders. Most of us look warily at time management software and other seemingly contrived forms of addressing this subject. We nod to to-do lists, calendar tweets, setting goals, tracking tasks,and other tools. They take too much time to do! And they are insufficient for staying ahead of the wave. More management!! Who do you know that has too much time on their hands while working?
Marilyn Paul and David Peter Stroh wrote a stunning piece that you can download from their website. The article is called "Managing Your Time As A Leader", and was first published in Reflections: The Society for Organizational Learning Journal, Winter 2006. It was the first time I read something that made sense and gave me insights into how I make work harder for myself. They address how we unwittingly create more work for ourselves by avoiding difficult tasks or by taking ineffective shortcuts - and this 'phantom' workload undermines productivity. Phantom workloads can actually ADD hours of additional work to our day, which increases pressure and stress, as well as decreasing overall effectiveness.
They name four domains related to key functions of leadership - mobilizing commitment (spiritual), thinking strategically (mental), building relationships and community (emotional), and organizing for action (material). They outline some very concrete strategies and stress that this may challenge some very personal ways of being in the world. Establishing a powerful purpose for change is the first step and the key to changing behaviors, engaging in new practices, and sustaining energy.
Read this article - taking the time just may give you some time!
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