(Hit the Ground Running is an annoying business term and is just one of the 212 Most Annoying Business Phrases Managers Effuse, Confuse, and Overuse detailed in the hilarious must-have guide for every workplace: The 30,000-Pound Gorilla in the Room. Available right now on Amazon.)

Hit the Ground Running

We get it.

It’s an important job, client, or product launch. So important, in fact, that it’s critical we get off to a good start; that we ensure we’re prepared to begin working toward the goal immediately; that we… dare we say it… hit the ground running.

Ugh, so damn annoying.

Truly, why is this even a saying? Is it possible or practical to start furiously running the moment your feet touch the ground? To be prepared to hit the ground running in the morning, for example, wouldn’t you need to put your shoes on while you’re still in bed? Wouldn’t you already need to be showered and dressed for the day?

We have an idea; why don’t we simply plan, prepare, and execute? What can we possibly expect to gain if we mindlessly hit the ground running?

This phrase is annoying beyond its obvious silliness. Its overuse by the rah-rah crowd of managers – those who mistakenly believe they missed their calling as motivational speakers – multiplies the annoyance factor by at least eleven.

If you work for a manager who always wants to be sure everyone is ready to hit the ground running, keep a pair of Brooks on top of a copy of Runner’s World magazine on your desk. Then, glance at these whenever he asks if you’re ready to hit the ground running. It can be very cathartic.

Replacement phrases: Be prepared; Be ready

See also: Pick Up the Ball and Run with It

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The 30,000-Pound Gorilla in the Room is available on Amazon