Stop Trying to Run a Marathon When You Aren’t Ready: How You Are Only Competing with Yourself
Picture this: you’re scrolling through your favorite social media platform and come across a post from someone in your network who just completed their fifth marathon. You haven’t run in over five years, but you suddenly feel inspired and sign up for tomorrow's marathon. You show up, take your place at the starting line, and don’t make it more than a third of a mile before you quit, vowing never to run again. Sounds wild, right?
But this is what I always see with clients: they’re trying to run a marathon they haven’t trained for.
Entrepreneurs, career climbers, and emerging leaders aiming for the executive suite—they all dive headfirst into goals without doing the foundational prep work. Can they run the race? Absolutely. Can they sustain that growth and confidence? Not without the training, tools, and mindset to carry them through.
Social media is often the loudest voice on our shoulder, whispering comparisons and false timelines into our ears. You see someone thriving in their career and instantly think, "I should be there, too." I’ve been there. And with the rise of constant digital exposure, I see it more and more in my clients. The individuals you see succeeding didn’t just wake up successful. Their progress came from intentional work, skill-building, mentorship, and failure.
When you launch into a career shift, leadership role, or business venture without laying the groundwork, you open the door to burnout and imposter syndrome. And worse, when it doesn’t go as expected, you start to doubt whether you should even be in the race at all.
But let me be clear: just because you’re not ready to run a marathon tomorrow doesn’t mean you won’t be ready someday.
Here are a few ways to shift your mindset and set yourself up for long-term growth:
1. Acknowledge Reality
You can’t sign up for a marathon after five years on the couch and expect to finish strong. The same goes for your career. Recognize where you are right now. The people who inspire you have likely invested years building skills and gaining experience. Use that as motivation, not discouragement. Instead of comparing, study their path. Learn from them. Let their journey inspire yours.
2. Embrace Your Timeline
Your path doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s. Trust the pace you’re on. Some seasons are about preparation—gathering tools, training your mindset, and building small, daily habits that create momentum. When you allow yourself the grace to grow on your timeline, confidence becomes a natural byproduct.
3. Practice Small, Sustainable Wins.
You don’t build endurance overnight. Break your goals down. Want to pivot into leadership? Start by improving your communication. Looking to launch a business? Learn about your ideal client. Hire a coach to help guide you along the way so you aren't trying to navigate alone. These small steps compound over time, building the strength, clarity, and resilience needed for bigger moves.
You’re not competing with anyone but yourself. And no one else gets to define your timeline, your growth, or your definition of success. Prepare for your marathon the right way—with patience, strategy, and intention.
The race will still be there when you're ready. And when you do show up? You'll be strong enough to not just run—but finish.
Heather Ritson
Career Coach & Trainer
Founder of Phoenix Empower, LLC
419-957-1539
