Pacesetters

I've never been a fan of the saying, "The early bird gets the worm." Perhaps it's because I've never been an early riser, or maybe it's my preference for brunch over breakfast. Regardless, there's nothing more disheartening than waking up and already feeling behind.

This persistent sense of lagging has accompanied me for most of my life. I constantly feel the pressure to race towards a vague destination, keeping up with the world's pace. I suspect I'm not the only one grappling with this challenge.

But what if our success depends not on how early we rise or how quickly we move, but rather on the company we keep?

It's often said that we are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. If this is true, selecting these individuals carefully becomes not only wise but essential.

Cultivate a group of pacesetters.

Nike's Breaking2 project aimed to break the two-hour marathon barrier, a feat never before accomplished. To achieve this, Nike selected three elite runners and established a highly controlled environment to optimize their performance. A crucial component of the strategy was a team of world-class pacesetters who maintained a consistent pace, helping the main runners stay on track to break the two-hour barrier.

The pacesetters adopted a formation that shielded the primary runners from the wind, providing an aerodynamic advantage. They alternated positions to remain fresh and maintain the desired pace. Throughout the race, they followed a lead car projecting a laser line on the ground, indicating the exact speed needed to complete the marathon in under two hours.

Ultimately, Eliud Kipchoge came closest to breaking the two-hour barrier, finishing the race in 2 hours and 25 seconds. Though they didn’t technically break the record, the event showcased the importance of pacesetters and teamwork in pushing human performance limits.

While we may not be striving for breaking the next world record, the principle remains the same.

When we surround ourselves with pacesetters, we begin to adopt their mindset and habits. We start thinking and acting like them, which in turn helps us create the life we desire. We often overlook how profoundly our environment influences us. The people in our lives can serve as a powerful driving force propelling us forward.

Conversely, if we surround ourselves with negative individuals or those who fail to see our true selves, we risk adopting their mindsets and habits. We may become complacent or trapped in a rut, unable to fully show up and be seen.

How do we find and surround ourselves with pacesetters?

First, assess the people with whom you currently spend the most time. Do they inspire you to be better, encourage creativity, remind you of who you are when you're lost, or restore your energy? Or do they deplete you, add an inherent pressure to keep up, breed comparison, speak negatively, or offer unsolicited advice based on their own needs? If the latter, it may be time to reconsider your group of pacesetters.

Finding like-minded individuals aren't just "yes-men" or "yes-women," but rather those you trust to challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone, expanding your mindset instead of limiting it.

You're in the driver's seat of your life, but the people you’re around the most can either help you reach your destination or steer the wheel in another direction entirely. 

Don’t get me wrong, adulting is hard. Making friends as adults, even harder. But it’s too important not to care. Your pacesetters could be the difference between a life well-lived and one that falls short. You get to choose.