Before Breakfast Don't run a marathon on that treadmill
Feb 24, 2026
A warning about mistaking busyness for progress, using the treadmill metaphor to show when effort goes nowhere. Advice on making tasks measurable with noun+verb or time limits. A simple daily log for tracking real accomplishments by time block. Tips for leaders to prioritize outcomes over long hours and for celebrating finished priorities.
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Running A Marathon On A Treadmill
- Laura Vanderkam describes someone who "runs a marathon on a treadmill" to illustrate being constantly busy without real progress.
- Examples include a stressed colleague who produces little and a person endlessly straightening their house but never achieving tidiness.
Perceived Forward Motion Matters For Motivation
- Treadmills are useful for short training but frustrating for long-distance marathon training because they lack a sense of forward motion.
- That lack of perceived progress mirrors real work where effort doesn't equal advancement toward goals.
Plan With Nouns Verbs And Time Limits
- Use specific task language: plan nouns and verbs or set time limits instead of vague goals like "email" or "job search."
- Example: decide to spend 30 minutes processing emails or review a job board and identify roles to apply for.