The Marathon Mindset: How to Sustain Career Energy Over Decades

Anna Cook - Beyond the Bottomline
4 min readJul 26, 2024

In the world of business, we often hear phrases like “sprint to the finish line” or “race to the top.” But here’s a revolutionary idea: your career isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. And just like a long-distance runner needs to carefully manage their energy to cross the finish line strong, professionals need to cultivate sustainable practices to thrive over the long haul of their careers.

The Marathon Mindset

Adopting a marathon mindset means understanding that your career is a journey of decades, not days. It’s about pacing yourself, building endurance, and fueling your body and mind for the long run. This approach isn’t about working less; it’s about working smarter and more sustainably.

So, how can you cultivate this marathon mindset and sustain your career energy over decades? Let’s explore some strategies.

1. Prioritise Recovery

Marathon runners know the importance of rest days. In your career, this translates to taking regular breaks, using your vacation days, and setting boundaries between work and personal life. Recovery isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for peak performance.

Action step: Schedule non-negotiable “recovery” time in your calendar each week. This could be an evening dedicated to a hobby, a…

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Anna Cook - Beyond the Bottomline

International Executive and Wellness Coach · Podcast Presenter · Author · Writing mostly about holistic success · Career + Wellness together... www.annacook.uk