T
ime is running out and your team is trailing. Things look
bleak; your guys have no chance; there’s not enough time
left. But the team, made of sterner stuff, reaches down
deep, and with an effort suitable for a Hollywood epic, rallies in
the final seconds to win. The fans go wild, drowning out the com-
mentator who’s screaming hysterically “I can’t believe it! I can’t
believe it!”
It’s the most exciting come-from-behind win of the season and
an absolute joy to watch, whether it’s football, baseball, soccer—any
team sport. But as a way of living, the rally has its drawbacks.
You Know You’re Running Your Rally When...- You charge from meeting to meeting, appointment to appoint-
ment, with no time to gather your thoughts; - You’ve taken lunch at your desk so often, your keyboard’s
clogged with crumbs; - The ringing phone makes you jump;
- You feel one bad surprise away from throwing up your hands
and screaming; - A longtime friend calls to tell you she’s coming to town and
would love to see you, but you make excuses because there’s
just no way you can spare the time; - You aren’t getting any exercise, but you feel exhausted;
- You crawl into bed at last—and can’t fall asleep.
We all go through days, even weeks like that. For short spells,
it can even be exhilarating—as long as we can keep one jump
ahead of disaster. But the longer you sustain this killer pace, the