Years back, I worked for GE. (Rather, I worked for a twig on the end of a minor branch of the massive tree which is GE. My twig was pruned soon after I left.) Anyway...
At that time, a popular management technique was to set "stretch targets". These were targets that appeared to be impossible to achieve. The idea was, you only knew what you could really achieve, if you aimed well beyond what you knew was achievable.
GE set stretch targets for entire businesses. If the target was not met, the business would be sold, or closed, or otherwise removed from the GE tree.
In October this year I set myself a stretch target. I entered the Budapest marathon.
For me, running a marathon is a stretch target... I know that I can do it, I've run several marathons, but they are always a challenge. Running a marathon in the middle of an overseas holiday -- is highly likely to fail.
So I went on holiday. Did no training for several weeks. Ran a half marathon. Did no more running for a week... And failed to finish my Budapest marathon.
I had set a stretch target -- and failed.
I said to my wife, Perhaps I should change my training plan. My wife said, Perhaps you should change your targets.
What do you think ?
Which is better ? Should I continue to set stretch targets... to enter more marathons ? I would need to toughen up my training plan. Yet I'm well into the age bracket where the body starts to deteriorate.
Should I set more achievable targets... to run distances more suited to my current physical abilities ? Less challenge but more chance of success.
Is a stretch target with the effort, or is it going to lead to burnout and depression. Is it better to aim lower and to enjoy the feelings of less meaningful success.
And here's another thought:
What if I were being paid to run ? Would my employer be happy if I ran -- and finished -- a series of not very challenging races ? Low challenge and low rewards.
What would this hypothetical employer think, if I entered marathons -- and consistently failed to finish ?
Which target -- and which result -- would my employer prefer ?
Which is better, a stretch target which is likely to lead to failure, or a simple target which is achieved, but with far less benefit.
My thoughts: Mix and match, a stretch target plus a couple that are more achievable. With the mix balanced to suit your own preference for risk.
So I'll continue to enter marathons. But I'll run some half marathons as well. And if I fail to finish a marathon -- I'll remind myself that at least I was able to finish the half.
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