What do we want to get better at? There are as many things to improve in as there are things and people in this world.

The question is, “How?”  Is there at least one way that applies to getting better at anything? 

The answer is “YES!”  Here it is:

Find a “pacer”.  A pacer is someone who sets a pace, or standard, for us to keep up with.  This could be a friend, spouse, family member, colleague, professor, etc.  The only requirements are:

  • They’re better than us at whatever we want to improve
  • They’re willing and available to become our pacer

To illustrate this:  In Finland, they have something called “the Cooper Test”, which is taken every year by Middle and High School students.  I know this, because I took it, as an exchange student there my senior year of high school.

The test entails running as far as you can in a 12-min. timeframe. Never mind that this test, designed by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, was originally intended for the U.S. Military.  The Finnish schools use it as a Physical Fitness measurement in P.E. class. 

Enter one teenage girl from an American suburb—in good shape by our standards, but never having experienced anything near the Cooper Test.  Naturally I was a bit concerned about how I’d measure up to all these physically-fit Finns.

Until one of the more athletic ones, Seija (pronounced “SAY-ya”), offered to run alongside me—to pace me.  Just knowing I’d have a partner/pacer encouraged me.  The fact that she thought I could even keep up with her really encouraged me! 🙂

Off we ran— cross-country style—forest, trails, make-your-own-trail, hills, mud, lions… (ok, not that last one).  Every time I thought I couldn’t go any farther, there would be Seija, running alongside, or usually a little ahead—spurring me on, setting the pace, and showing me the way.

And we made it!  Without collapsing!  I didn’t become a failure statistic, or worse yet an international news headline – “American Exchange Student Finnished Off by the Cooper Test!” 

Not only did we make it, we ran 2300 meters—earning the rank of “excellent” for our age and gender!  Without a pacer, I don’t think I could’ve made it even 2000 meters. 

What do good pacers do for us?

  • They make us go further, faster, than we could on our own
  • They make us go further, faster, than we imagine possible
  • They go a little bit ahead to spur us on, set the pace, and show us the best way to reach our goal.
  • They also run alongside us to encourage us.

But what if we can’t find such a person to set up this kind of “pacer” relationship with?  We can let good models “out there” be our pacer—such as authors, speakers, public figures and leaders, etc.  Just make sure they’re walking their talk! 

Research works too—reading, listening, and watching on how to improve—but only up to a point.  It gives us information, some methodology, and stated standards.  But it doesn’t give us help—which is why we need a pacer.

Ultimately, the Lord is our “Pacer”, for those of us who have relationship with Him.  But it really helps to have “boots on the ground” (or, gym-shoes on the ground, in my case). 

Finally, part of getting better at being or doing something is so we can become pacers for others.  Then there will be more pacers to go around.

“And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and         good deeds.” Heb. 10:24

The better we get, the better we can help others be.