Is supposed to be the worst mile of a marathon.  Runners report hitting a wall, with very little physical reserve left.  Even though there are only 4.2 miles to go, a short distance for anyone who’s trained for such a race, those last miles are supposed to be quite difficult.  The most difficult.

The fuel, then, for finishing, is a combination of sheer determination to put one foot in front of the other and a desire for whatever meaning is derived from crossing the finish line.

I’ve never experienced Mile 22 in a marathon, but I know what it’s like to find myself there, metaphorically.  And I can tell you what happens when my clients find themselves there as leaders.  Whether it’s a key project that’s been fraught with unexpected challenges and delays, or a long-anticipated promotion that’s still anticipated, or the general wear and tear that comes from fighting multiple fires on multiple fronts as a CEO, fatigue has set in.

What to do if you find yourself at Mile 22?

  1. Acknowledge that you’re in a long, sustained race.  Frame it as a sprint, and you’ll likely become frustrated and demoralized.  Know that it’s a significant distance, and you can settle in.
  2. Fuel yourself for the long haul.  What activities and which people sustain you as a person?  Load up on those.
  3. Seek outside input.  When fatigued, get perspective from someone not where you are who can remind you of why you began the journey.

For more on working with me directly, you can reach me at sarah@sarah-levitt.com

I work with talented and successful senior executives who want to run at their very best, as leaders and as people.  My next openings are in June.

Booking your 2019 and 2020 conference keynotes and breakouts?  My two most popular topics:

Magnificent Leadership® – Keys to Success
Magnificent Leadership®: Building Self-Correcting Teams™

You can reach me at sarah@sarah-levitt.com to inquire about availability.

Recent comments by conference attendees include: “Best speaker of the day.”  “Great practical examples and stories.”  “Inspiring.”

You can find my new book, Magnificent Leadership, here on Amazon.