The London Marathon took place just last weekend. In the lead-up, it was taper time—no more long runs, more rest, and doing everything possible to conserve energy for race day. Or, as I discovered, it was also maranoia time.
Maranoia is marathon paranoia. Everything starts to feel off. You begin to think: I have not trained enough. I am sure I am injured. This little sore throat means I am getting ill. I cannot run any more. I might collapse.
You get the picture.
For me, with a few sciatic issues going on, this feeling is very real. It also got me thinking about paranoia in business.
Maybe you are shifting focus, redefining your values or vision, or going through a full rebrand. If so, you may well recognise the same feeling. I have decided to call it bizanoia.
Yes, you can use that, because I am convinced it is going to catch on.
You have discussed it with your team, and maybe with the wider network too. Everyone has agreed, or at least mostly agreed, because we all know you can never please everyone all of the time. But then the moment comes to actually put the plans into practice, and suddenly the bizanoia kicks in.
What have we done? This is not going to work. We have messed this up. No one will like it. It is too much change.
Sound familiar?
So what can we do about it?
First, recognise that it is common, and often irrational. Accept that what you are feeling is paranoia, then go back to the reason you are doing it in the first place.
Remind yourself of the conversations you have already had. Think back to the input from your team, the feedback from your network, and the support you have built around the decision. Change can feel uncomfortable, but trust the groundwork you have already done and let that carry you forward.
It also helps to look back at how much work has gone into getting to this point. Often, when we are in the thick of it, we forget just how far we have already come.
Most importantly, do not start trying new things at the last minute. You have committed to a direction, so now is not the time to make huge changes to the agreed plan just because doubt has crept in.
Instead, focus on what you can control. Plan ahead where possible and put sensible back-up plans in place.
And remember, you are not the only one who has felt like this. Speak to people who are going through something similar, or who have already been through a major change in their business. Lean on your team, trust them, and let them reassure you when needed.
The advice given to those of us running the marathon is very similar. Trust the training. Look at all the miles you have logged and everything you have already pushed through, in all weathers. Do not suddenly try a new technique or change your approach at the last minute. Control the controllables, plan what you can in advance, rest, and carb load. I am not entirely sure what the business equivalent of rest and carb loading would be, but I am sure there is one.
So, as the now-famous meme from The Office says: stay calm, everybody stay calm, what is the procedure… stay calm.
Paranoia of any kind can really mess with your head, but it cannot undo all the hard work you have already done. So stay calm, trust the process, and remember that you have put the work in. Now it is time to move forward and reap the benefits.
If you’d like to support my London Marathon fundraising, you can donate here.
