Just like training for a marathon, building a business takes time, persistence, and grace; there's no shortcut to sustainable success.

Why Building a Business is Like Training for a Marathon

Starter

Would you attempt to run a marathon without ever training for a single mile? Probably not. If you did, you’d likely not make it to the finish line, risk injury, or feel discouraged enough to hesitate trying again. Instead, you’d start with low mileage, follow a consistent training plan, and gradually build your endurance over the course of several months.

Entrepreneurship works the same way. You can’t expect to dive into running a successful multi-figure business on your first try without putting in the time and effort to build your skills, systems, and confidence.

Main Course

In today’s culture, it feels like everyone is claiming to build six- or seven-figure businesses in under a year. But here’s the hard truth: that’s the exception, not the rule. Yes, some achieve rapid success in months, but more often than not, these entrepreneurs are seasoned, have significant capital, strong teams, and a high tolerance for risk.

For the other 99%, building a sustainable business is much like training for a marathon. It requires time, dedication, and perseverance. Just as you wouldn’t expect to complete a marathon after only a week of training, you shouldn’t expect to build a thriving business within the same timeframe. Rapid growth can bring its own set of challenges, including burnout, missed opportunities for learning, and misaligned goals.

When you’re building your first business, remember that it’s a process. It’s about taking it one step at a time—just like you would in marathon training. Here’s where my own story comes in.

My Journey: Half Marathon Training and Growing My Business

I am nearing the end of my half marathon training, with my race just one week away. I’m amazed at how far I’ve come since I started training in early August. Before that, I was running 2-3 miles at a 10-minute pace. That felt like a leap from where I began in March 2024, when I could barely run 1.5 miles at a 10:45 pace.

Now, as I look back at the past 7 months, I see the progress I’ve made. I didn’t always feel it in the day-to-day grind. Some days, I thought I was getting worse. But now, I can confidently say I’ve become stronger, faster, and more conditioned with every mile.

There’s no way I could have run a half marathon in March. I would’ve either quit or pushed myself too far and ended up injured. This realization reminds me a lot of starting and growing a business, especially my own.

I launched Insight 2 Action in March 2024, originally under the name Patrick Miley Jr. Coaching + Consulting. The growth has been slow, steady, and measurable; just like marathon training. And honestly, I’ve appreciated the pace. If I had jumped into serving dozens of clients a month from the start, I wouldn’t have been ready. I needed time to build systems, experiment, fail, and figure out what works for me.

Digest

It’s tempting to want to start at the finish line, but understanding that growing a business, especially your first business, takes time is crucial. Just like training for a marathon, you need to give yourself the space to learn and grow. Remember, it’s not about sprinting to the finish line; it’s about building the endurance, strength, and resilience to keep going, even when the road gets tough.

The Insight Toolbox:

Key Takeaways:

• Start small: Don’t rush into massive growth before you’re ready. Build your business step by step.

• Follow a plan: Like a training schedule for a marathon, create a roadmap for your business growth and stick to it.

• Be patient with yourself: Growth doesn’t happen overnight. Grant yourself grace along the way.

• Embrace the challenges: The struggles you face are part of your journey toward mastery.

• Celebrate progress: Reflect on how far you’ve come, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the day-to-day grind.

About The Author

Patrick Miley Jr. is a business and career coach with a passion for helping individuals navigate career transitions and unlock their full potential. With a diverse background in both healthcare and business, Patrick leverages his unique experience as an ICU nurse and his MBA in Organizational Management to empower solopreneurs, minority business owners, and healthcare professionals to thrive in competitive industries. He is the founder of Insight 2 Action, where he provides strategic coaching and marketing consulting services. Patrick is dedicated to teaching the art of strategic communication—a skill that has transformed his own career.

When he’s not coaching, Patrick enjoys paddleboarding, running half marathons, and leading discussions in the Knox Book Club. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or through his company, Insight 2 Action.