In running: Periodization is the systematic planning of your training over time, with the goal of optimizing performance and avoiding burnout or injury. It involves dividing your training into specific phases or cycles, each with a clear focus and purpose, to build toward peak performance at the right time (typically for a key race).
Similarly in business, in life or whatever hard, long term pursuit you have your sights set on, it’s incredibly important to practice periodization. Maybe there is no “race” to peak for, but perhaps a “busy season?” Most indusries have one. Nonetheless, periodization is tried and true for optimizing performance. I’d argue, for anyone in the midst of a “40 year career” of sorts -- mastering periodization is a game-changer. It let’s you execute at a high level, year after year, with no drop off in performance.
By contrast:
Going 100% all the time, “pedal to the medal”….that won’t work, you’ll burn out. Burnout is inefficient and does not set you up for “peak performance.” Driving at 80% all the time “feels good,” but to be truly great, we need some moments at 100%+
Going 70% all the time, coasting, nice and easy, not too strenuous, but consistant. Clocking in at 9 and out at 5, not putting in the extra work…that won’t work, that’s a one way ticket to mediocrity.
Sustained high work rate and performance requires periodization.
What I have found works best are periods of intense work, followed by true rest, relaxation and recharge. In fact, as of this drafting, we are in the middle of PeakSpan’s annual “reset recharge” - a three week office shutdown in the dead of August (nine years running). It doesn’t necessarily mean taking off fully for three weeks, but we have no internal meetings on the books, try to keep our calendars reserved for just the mission critical (calls with our entrepreneurs and LP stakeholders, etc.) and we aren’t commuting into the office. We gain time and space back into our days to spend it with family, other interests and to get deep, thoughtful work done with a clear brain. This year, I’ll be exploring AI (obviously….).
In nine years at PeakSpan, I can predict with high confidence the ebbs and flows of the year. I’m sure you can do the same in your business. The formula works extremely well and it relies on…you guessed it…periodization.
August
We recharge during August (when our industry is slowest)
September —> Mid-December
Post labor day until about December 20th, we are firing on all cylinders, working 110% (because keep in mind, we have the freshest legs coming out of the summer). We are our most creative, most innovative, most collaborative, we are onboarding new teammates, presenting our progress to our limited partners, doing new investments and working hand-in-hand with our CEOs.
Late December
Back half of December, usually 7-10 days, our offices close again and we are on average getting five-ish days fully off to recharge again.
January —> July
Jan 2 to July 31st - we are ON. And I mean ON! Teammates maybe take a long weekend or have a spring break with the kids, but these are one-off/individual points. The energy of the firm holistically and pace at which we work is optimal during this period. It’s historically been our most productive period by far. This is in part periodization and in part the natural seasonality of software Series A/B fundraising. During this period, because we are all relentlessly focused at the same time, we get a lot done, arguably more than we could otherwise get done operating at 70% all year round.
All said and done, we are pushing hard for 10.5 months and building back energy for 1.5 months. The natural ebb and flow of effort works extremely well and allows us to make more progress while not burning out.
I couldn’t recommend periodization more. In running, I run two marathons each year spaced out 6 months apart. I experience a slow steady “build” of training, run my race, hit the reset button, take a week off running, the start the slow gradual rise all over again. It’s worked for five years, backed by science and produces real results.
Think about your year? How are your blocks of effort spaced out? Can you try periodization? Let me know your thoughts, I’m curious to hear what works for you!