Run Uphill, Walk Down


The road to success runs uphill.

- Willie Davis


Almost forty years ago, a roommate of mine gave me advice that has stuck with me for my running routine and how I view business and life.

Kieran, who now owns a cool business in New Zealand, said, “Always run uphill and walk down.” I have consistently followed his sage words, and I must say, for a clutzy, flat-footed lil’ penguin, I have remained largely injury-free for nearly all of the years since he told me this.

Running Uphill Is Hard For Us. 

But it can be incredibly good on us, making you a stronger, faster and healthier runner.

  • Develops your cardiovascular system

  • Enhances running economy

  • Improves our leg-muscle strength

  • Protects legs against muscle soreness

Running uphill gives us an opportunity to look closer, safely put our heads down, and concentrate on the here and now.

Running Downhill Is Hard On Us.

It can be incredibly bad for us, making us prone to injuries and poor technique.

  • Impacts joint degeneration and instability

  • Prone to traumatic injuries such as fractures, slips and sprains

  • Creates sloppy running technique

Walking downhill allows us to enjoy the views, to look far ahead, and to see a bigger picture of where we are headed.

Slow down to speed up.

This adage has been popping up at several events I have attended this year and in my social feeds. It has a ton of merit and relates directly to the advice Kieran gave me all those years ago.

  • When you feel that you are running uphill—when the going gets tough—that’s the time to keep slogging and forge ahead

    • It may seem painful, but you will feel accomplished once you are through it

  • When you are on a fast roll, that’s when crummy communication, mistakes and poor choices happen

    • Slowing down creates a steady pace to build your business mindfully and more completely

I recently re-read Traction by Gino Wickman. Actually, I listened to it all in one go while making the eight-hour drive back from Bridging The Gap in July.

It’s a much different take on listening to rather than reading a book, right?

At any rate, Traction is the basis of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS), and I was hyped to run through it again as I attended a panel I loved on EOS implementation with Roman Villard, Chad Davis, Nick Pantaleo, & Gaynor Meilke. EOS often refers to slowing down and sticking to three goals (called rocks) rather than moving too fast and simultaneously picking off too many things. If you are attending Intuit Connect this Fall, in addition to coming to Nayo and my session 😈, I recommend you attend Chad Davis, Chris Williams and Matthew May’s EOS session

Running uphill, walking down and reading Traction will be a win for your business, even if you just take away a few things from the book and decide EOS isn’t something you want to run with.


Featured Template

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Featured Template ~~~

15% off discount code: BLOG

Client Guidebook as PowerPoint/Slides Files
$250.00

Clients are more engaged and compliant if expectations of their responsibilities are clear, workflows are pre-set for them, Tax Agency best practices are established, and they understand the basics of bulletproof bookkeeping.

If you don't take the time to provide this information, clients are not confident in collaborating with you. They don't know how to communicate with you, or supply information, and they don't know due dates. They lack confidence in the tech and they are unsure how to reach out for support...

A Client Guidebook creates clarity and empowers your clients so that they feel confident about what's getting done and their role in the process. It also positions your firm as the expert in this field.

It can be a lot of work to put together a comprehensive Client Guidebook from scratch.

Luckily for you, we’ve already done all the leg work! Created by accounting professionals, these templates create the conditions for a harmonious and efficient relationship with your new client.

What You Get:

• Long version (has a glossary, cloud accounting explanation and sample client workflow) Guidebook template. Short version is more succinct. Supplied as in horizontal and vertical layouts, in PowerPoint (PPT) and Google Slides (GSlide) versions.

• Folder with instructions, app partner logos and app flowchart images.

Here is what the branded, short version for my bookkeeping business looks like.

And here is a (not very professional) video of the templates you will receive. The templates were revised in July 2024, since this video. But you get an idea of what you will receive :-}

Add To Cart

Financial Cents Workflow Roast

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

2:30 PM 3:30 PM

The Workflow Roast is where firms' workflow strategies are reviewed, and solutions are given right on the spot. Join Roman and myself as we take on the challenge of improving a bookkeeping and accounting firm's workflow in real time!

If you've ever wondered how to enhance efficiency and avoid common mistakes in your business processes, this video is for you.

In this live critique, you'll see us break down the firm's current practices, identify areas for improvement, and suggest actionable solutions.

Perfect for bookkeepers, accountants, and business owners looking to refine their workflow and boost productivity.


Simply yours, Kellie :-}

::Shameless Call To Action::

I sell bookkeeping templates, standard operating process handbooks and client guides.

15% off discount code: BLOG


Kellie Parks, CPB

Cloud Process Creator

I craft processes and automation for future-thinking accounting professionals who believe in the mightiness of online technology.

I want every accounting professional to love running a cloud-based business as much as I do. 

Embracing the cloud requires effective best practices, consistent communication, and efficient processes, systems, and workflows. That's why we have dozens of pre-built templates to take the pain out of creating optimization in your firm.

Certified or partnered in over a dozen cloud applications, Alumni Intuit International Trainer Writer Network and the FreshBooks Partner Council.

I am a runner, water/snow skier and live-music fan.

I’m always wondering what you would do more of—outside of work—if processes, automation, and apps gave you your life back.

https://calmwaters.ca/
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