Do not try to emulate others’ speed.

Many individuals who have worked with me have watched my speed and attempted to speed themselves up in response, thinking that would help. It would, in theory, but it has ended badly every single time because they’re attempting my speed and not their own. I’ve worked with people who are faster than me as well, which is why I’m able to relate to and empathize with someone who may not be as fast as I am. The difference is that I’ve never tried to compete or match pace with faster individuals. I simply run at my speed.

Effective work is not about speeding up. It’s simply about respecting one’s own speed — as well as that of others — and running at the pace each individual can based on their unique capabilities.

Most individuals’ curse/Achilles heel is the trio of ego, confidence, and idealism leading them to attempt to excel faster than their current capabilities allow. While aspiration and growth are not only excellent but necessary, one must not allow the view of oneself to exceed one’s current capacity. Performance is never about comparison but respecting the contrast between oneself and others while working at one’s actual capacity to the best of their ability.