10,000 Steps or 10,000 Hours - Either Way You Better be moving

10,000 steps a day is what we're being told is the key to health and long life. 10,000 hours, per Gladwell, is the key to achieving excellence in any one pursuit. Both numbers relate to our need to be active and focused and not give up after a few days or a few hours, a few months or a few years.

10,000 hours at 50 hours per week (for those who jump in deep) equals 200 weeks, with time off for vacation, illness, family breaks, etc, that is approximately 4 years to become exceptional. Having worked with staff and leaders around the country, I was slightly amused to do the math and find it met what I'd been saying - it takes four years to turn around an organization and transition from new leader to accepted leader to appreciated and admired leader, both as an individual and/or as an organization. Given these facts, we all need to consider and address the debilitating drain on our nonprofit human service system by the constant turnover in staff and lack of consistency in boards.

Start today to assess where you are going and how you are going to get there. Plan out how you are going to spend the next 10,000 hours on your purpose in order to bring exceptional services or outcomes to those whom you are hoping and planning to delight --- your customers, friends, funders and staff.

Put on the jogging shoes, the t-shirt and get moving! I'll see you at the next intersection.