Marathon Training

Author

Michele Kasl
July 14, 2025

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running."

Anonymous


I’ve been in a business coaching program the past 3 months. And if I’m being honest … it’s starting to feel a bit like running an entire marathon, uphill, in a sumo suit.

[ You’re welcome (re: the visual) 😆 ]

Some days, I’m in the zone. Super jazzed and giving myself quiet high-fives for showing up and doing the work.

Other days, I’d rather scroll Zillow listings for off-grid cabins than face another call or homework assignment.

The climb feels horrendously slow. And I find myself questioning my life choices, like, “Why did I actually choose to do this while running a business?”

But I’m starting to notice that my biggest (personal) shift hasn’t come from hustling harder.

It’s actually come from asking for help. Something I would never have considered a viable option before. Not because I didn’t need it. But because, frankly, I was too proud to ask for it.

Our coaches have “office hours” daily, where we can pop in with questions, challenges, homework feedback, etc.

And they always start with the same question, “What can I help you with today?”

My insightful (somewhat dramatic) share last week — “I’m completely burnt out, overwhelmed, and ready to quit this program. I’m not sure how long I can keep doing this because I don’t really know how to fit it all in.”

[ Me: long, nervous pause ]

Instead of the anticipated shame, ridicule and judgment … I walked away with a revived game plan, perspective, and a fresh lens on what my priorities should be over the next couple weeks. 😳

All because I put myself out there and asked for help.

***

That moment reminded me of what we see all the time with our clients.

When maybe you know your branding is a bit messy …
AND your website no longer reflects your expertise …
AND you’re attracting the wrong opportunities (or none at all) …

It’s not a sign of inadequacy or that you’ve failed.

It’s a sign that you’ve outgrown your old story and just need some help getting back on track.

And the boldest move is NOT to push harder, struggle, and try to sort it out yourself.

Sometimes it’s to stop, take a breath, and let someone else guide you to the best path forward.

***

One of our new clients recently tried the DIY website route. He figured he could cobble something together using AI tools on weekends — just until “things got clearer” for his business.

Eighty hours later (yes, eight. zero.), he came to us exhausted, frustrated, and still without a working website.

Turns out, he didn’t need to spend his valuable time learning new AI tools.

He really just needed a partner to show him where his time is best spent, and get his website to a point where it’s an asset, not a burden.

So if things feel like an uphill slog in mile 24 right now … don’t panic. Growing your business doesn’t have to be a solo sport.

Keep running. Ask for support.

And remember: progress isn’t always easy. But it IS forward.

 

Power Prompt

Feeling stuck is one thing. Knowing when to ask for support? That’s the real skill. Here’s a quick AI exercise to help you figure out if it’s time to bring in outside help — and what kind of support would make the biggest difference.


PASTE THIS AI PROMPT:

You are an expert business coach and strategist. I’m feeling overwhelmed in my business and want to assess if it’s time to seek outside help. My focus is [describe your business and/or role].

Please ask me specific questions to help me get clarity on the following:

1. What signs indicate that I’ve outgrown my current DIY approach?

2. What specific tasks or areas are draining my time without clear progress?

3. If I continue without help for another 3-6 months, what’s the likely outcome?

4. What kind of support would most efficiently help me move forward?

5. What strengths do I bring that outside help could complement rather than replace?

From overlooked to unforgettable —
In just 60 days.

Say goodbye to duct-tape fixes. You bring the brilliance; we’ll bring the branding, messaging and website to match.

Meet: Booked by Design.

Done-for-you, stress-free, and seriously good looking. 😉 In just 60 days, you’ll have a brand and website you’re excited to share.

Expansion Pack

If you’ve found yourself thinking, “There HAS to be an easier way to get clients,” … there most definitely IS.

And Tom Poland wrote the book on it. [ Literally. ]

Tom is the creator of Leadsology® and author of the best-selling Inbound Marketing Book — an action-packed guide to generating steady client inquiries without blowing cash on ads or selling your soul on social media.

Normally $30 on Amazon. Right now? … Totally FREE for you guys. 😳

Inside, you’ll learn:

  • Why 16 “common” marketing methods don’t work anymore (and what does)

  • The 3 types of Joint Venture partners and how to unlock a steady stream of leads with each

  • How to build an email list 35x more likely to buy than your social followers

  • A simple, two-step LinkedIn DM that actually gets responses

  • How to get high-quality leads for zero cost using other people’s email lists

  • The SEW Segmentation formula that can 5x your email-to-client conversion rate

If you’re tired of chasing leads (uh … heck yeah!), this one is a must-read.

 

Heads Up! The links in our “Victory Points” section are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase. I only share games I genuinely love and KNOW you’ll enjoy too. Pinky promise. 😉
 

Victory Points

By: Mike Shary
( my board-game-loving, copywriter extraordinaire and mentor, Dad ❤️ )

HEAT is a deck-building game about speed with truly impressive table-presence. It plays out right in front of you on your choice of 8 huge racetrack boards.

You’re behind the wheel in a 1960s Grand Prix car, racing against up to five other drivers on winding tracks at breakneck pace. Every turn is a test of timing, risk, and momentum. The temptation? Slam the gas. Gun it. Win fast.

But try that in HEAT, and you’ll spin out before the first hairpin.
 

 
You see, speed comes at a cost.

Pushing too hard builds up “heat” — a resource you must manage with care. And those heat cards? They clog your hand like an out-of-tune engine. If you don’t control them, they’ll slow you down just when you need to shift into high gear.

That’s where the clever deck-building kicks in. As the race goes on, you’ll modify your deck with cards that help you manage momentum, cool your engine, and survive the grind. It’s not about building the fastest deck. It’s about building the smartest one.

The best racers in HEAT are consistent. They know when to push, when to coast, and how to shape their hand for the long haul.

In business, it’s the same. You don’t win with a burst. You win by staying in control, adjusting, improving, and executing with discipline.

HEAT is a reminder that the race isn’t always to the swift, but to those who keep on going.

Make it a great week! 🙌

If you’re ready, here’s a few ways we can work together:

Quick clarity, zero overwhelm. In just 15 minutes, we’ll pinpoint your biggest growth opportunity — and one simple step to act on it.

Ready for real transformation? Let's spend 60 minutes mapping out your business evolution. We'll tackle your biggest marketing challenges and create a customized, actionable roadmap for growth. Ideal for entrepreneurs who are done waiting on "perfect."



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