A Runner's Guide to Business Cadence (Rate of Perceived Exertion)
“I hit the wall! I could not take another step!”
Would you understand me if I said that when describing my ten mile run yesterday?
Or what if it was during some particularly difficult project at work?
Would you really believe that I could not actually move forward at all? That I had exhaust every last ounce of energy? Every last breath? Or in the case of work, every last option? Probably not. You would likely recognize some level of exhaustion or burnout.
The reality is that exhaustion is a psychological experience, rather than physical. Whether you are running a marathon or working a marathon project (and who hasn’t), it is the same. If you have hit the wall, then you have reached critical mass of the level of perceived effort that you believe you can bear.
Runners often use this principle in their training.* It is called Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE). By its very name, this is a subjective measure. Oddly, however, it can be used to effectively gauge and monitor the objective measures that we use to manage our productivity, whether it be as individuals or as teams.
In my running, I use cadence as the foundational measure for monitoring my RPE. I commonly use music to help me maintain a steady cadence (except where unsafe). I have playlists of music grouped by Beats Per Minute (BPM). So when I listen to music that is roughly 85 or 170 (85 x 2) BPM, I can keep my cadence at roughly 170 steps/strides per minute.
Last week, we defined Cadence @ Work as managing a rhythmic, steady, and consistent flow of work and events. The two exercises give us the minimum basic knowledge to start setting a steady cadence. First we know what work is in front of us, using last week’s roadmap exercise. Second, we know how much effort (hours/week) we can realistically apply today to any potential incoming work, using the timesheets exercise.
Before each run, I set my desired RPE using a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = no effort, 10 = max effort). Let’s say that today I want to run at a 7 RPE. Throughout the run, I monitor my RPE striving to reach and maintain a 7.
Individually, or as teams, determine your desired Rate of Perceive Exertion. Throughout the week, regularly monitor and note your RPE. Among teams, this is likely to generate some interesting conversation.
Afterwards, I look at the stats that my Garmin watch records, like pace/speed, heart rate, elevations. I also consider other factors like, weather, nutrition, time of day, time of year, running gear, etc. I also factor what was on my mind before and during the run.
At the end of the week, gather all of the “objective” measures for the weeks works like, planned vs actual hours, deliverables, and other commonly committed items. Note other commonly understood or recognized factors, time off, weather, shifting requirements, pandemics, unforeseen issues, sizing inconsistencies etc. Be sure to document any other distractions. This may seem weird or intimidating at first. Before long, you will see how essential this is. And it will become natural and intuitive.
Because no two runs are the same, running a 7 RPE can vary wildly from run to run.
Using a consistent cadence, gives me the ability to leverage RPE to experiment with and optimize my training. Training myself to monitor and manage at higher levels of perceived effort, helps me reach and maintain higher levels of performance. Moreover, I can more easily and consistently push myself to higher levels when needed.
Over time, patterns will emerge that will allow you to experiment with and optimize your work. That steady flow of work, aka Cadence @ Work, along with RPE gives you a way to measure how well and how consistently you are delivering. And when higher performance is needed to cross finish line, you are prepared.
Perhaps most importantly, if you ever do hit the wall again, you will recognized it for what it really is, perceived exertion or exhaustion. And then press forward!
*Actually, RPE is used by athletes of all types. But since I am a runner, I will use it in the context of running so that I can provide honest experience and parallels with our work
Trivia Question: Why did I choose the music in today’s post? Email your response to daryl@purpleshirtthursday.com
References of the Day
| Lose Yourself | ||
| Save Me |