It was cold, drizzly, about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and there was more work yet to do in my office.  The end of day was nearing, and I was tired.  All perfect reasons not to go out for my run.  And I was ever- so-quietly telling myself that I could skip it.  There would be another tomorrow.

But the forecast was calling for snow.

And I remembered that despite loving what I do, there has never, ever been a time when I regretted putting work aside in favor of a run.  Never.  I have, however, had deep disappointment at not hitting the pavement.

So, I cut a deal: I would do 3 miles rather than the usual 5.

And you know what happened, of course.

I got out there, in the wind and the fading light, and my legs had more spring than I expected.  After the first mile, I had my groove, and I couldn’t imagine not doing the full 5.

And the voice that rose up from within said, as it always does, “You almost missed this.”

Two questions:

What are the things that fill and fuel you, that make you who you are, as a person and as a leader?

And how can you ensure that you live and experience those things so that you don’t miss them and have regret?

Wondering how to sustain yourself over the long distance marathon that is executive leadership?  You can go here to Amazon or Barnes and Noble to purchase a copy of my new book, Magnificent Leadership, and read about the Three Fuel Lines.

I had the pleasure of speaking earlier this week on Magnificent Leadership® to CEOs and business leaders at The Alternative Board here in Raleigh, NC.  Next month, I’ll be giving the opening keynote on “Magnificent Leadership® – Keys to Success” at the American Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Forum in Washington, DC.

If you want to work with me directly and aspire to your own Magnificent Leadership®, particularly if you’re preparing for, or entering, an elevated leadership position, you can reach me at sarah@sarah-levitt.com for more information.  I’ll have openings in Q2.  I work with smart, talented, ambitious CEOs and Fortune 1000 senior executives who run companies and aspire to magnificent performance and results.

And if your national conference, leadership summit, or board retreat calls for a dynamic keynote speaker who provides practical, real-world solutions to every day challenges, I’m speaking throughout the country this year on “Magnificent Leadership® — Keys to Success.”  And I’ve just rolled out a brand new keynote: “Self-Correcting Teams – The Heart of Innovation.”  For booking information: sarah@sarah-levitt.com

If your 2018 strategy hasn’t yet been drawn up or isn’t being executed, I lead strategic leadership sessions to set priority, direction, and an action plan.  For more: sarah@sarah-levitt.com