Process is a Journey – A 20 Mile March

Process is a Journey – A 20 Mile March

The Power of Process: Achieving Long-Term Success with Fanatic Discipline

When it comes to sustained success, one thing always rises to the top: process. It’s what keeps everything running smoothly, delivering consistent high-quality results. But process alone isn’t enough – discipline to follow it, no matter the circumstances, is crucial. This is where the idea of the "20-mile march" comes in.

In Great by Choice, Jim Collins tells the story of two teams racing to the South Pole. They had the same goal but their strategies were notably different. One team practiced relentless consistency, marching 20 miles a day – rain, shine, or snow. The other team pushed harder in good weather and rested when things got rough: 50 miles on some days, 0 miles the next few. The result? The consistent team not only got there first but also lived to tell the tale, while the second team neither arrived nor survived.

The application to our business is spot-on: success isn’t about occasional sprints of energy or focus. It’s about steady, disciplined effort—what Collins calls "fanatic discipline." In business, this translates to having clear, documented processes that everyone follows, no matter how busy, how tired, how new – in short, no matter what.

Fanatic Discipline: Stick to the Plan – Even When It’s Tough

A well-documented process is like a map: it gets rid of the guesswork and helps you avoid mistakes. When everyone knows exactly what to do and how to do it, things move faster. Onboarding is quicker, problems get solved sooner, and you get consistent results. But the key isn’t just having processes—it's sticking to them with that same “20-mile march” discipline.

With fanatic discipline, you follow your process, even when it’s inconvenient or when shortcuts look tempting. Just like the 20-mile march, it’s about making steady progress, day after day. It may feel tough or even boring sometimes, but over time, that’s what sets successful businesses apart from those stuck in chaos and inefficiency.

The Role of Empirical Creativity and Productive Paranoia

While discipline is crucial, it doesn’t mean rigidity. Collins also talks about two other important ideas: empirical creativity and productive paranoia. These help businesses stay creative and alert while keeping their processes solid.

Empirical creativity is about making bold moves, but only when they’re backed by real data—not just a gut feeling or trend. This allows businesses to innovate and grow without taking unnecessary risks. Productive paranoia is being ready for whatever challenges come your way. It’s the practice of anticipating problems and having a plan in place to handle them.

When we use processes to consistently execute the work we do daily, our leaders, our managers, and our employees have space to bring creativity to the table, to share their unique personality, and spread the company culture. 

Process + Discipline = Long-Term Wins

Process is what helps businesses survive and thrive in tough environments. It’s the combination of process and disciplined execution that leads to long-term success. The 20-mile march reminds us that success isn’t about big, one-off efforts but about steady, disciplined progress. By documenting and simplifying your core processes, encouraging creativity within a structured framework, and then embracing discipline and consistency throughout your organization, you’ll always be moving forward, no matter what.

With the right processes in place and the discipline to follow them, your business can achieve sustainable, long-term success.

Ready to drive RADICAL ACCOUNTABILITY for process in 2025? Schedule a private Process Success Workshop for your leadership team and managers. Connect with [email protected] to learn more.