The Long-Haul Lens in Real Life
The last quarter of the year always sneaks up. I was speaking with my business coach, Carrie Wilkerson, and she reminded me how once we hit the fourth quarter, the year seems to whiz by. One day, we’re setting fresh January goals with energy and ambition. Next, we’re staring at October’s calendar, wondering where the time went.
The question is: how do you claim that space and excel with long-haul leadership in mind?
That pause—standing between what we hoped for and what actually happened—can bring two very different feelings. For some, it’s a spark of motivation to finish strong. For others, it’s a sigh of disappointment, as if all the effort still wasn’t enough. Either way, the truth is this: how we see the moment shapes how we live it. Perspective is everything.
Why Clarity Matters More Than Balance
So often we chase after the idea of balance, imagining life as a perfectly weighted scale. Work and family. Rest and responsibility. Growth and stillness. However, in real life, nothing ever sits that neatly.
Instead of chasing balance, I’ve learned to chase clarity.
Clarity means knowing what season you’re in—and being honest about it. Sometimes your work requires long days. Sometimes, family or health must take precedence. What matters is not that everything stays equal, but that your actions align with what’s truly important right now.
That’s why I love the metaphor of the lens. Just as a photographer chooses between a wide-angle shot and a zoom lens, we get to decide how closely or broadly we focus. Both perspectives are valuable—but each tells a different story.
Autumn’s Reminder
Photography has always been a teacher for me. Autumn, especially, reminds me of how perspective shifts everything. Some people see fall as an ending. The leaves drop, gardens fade, days shorten.
But I see transition. Autumn changes the light. Golden hues emerge. Shadows soften. The whole world seems to shimmer for a brief, breathtaking moment.
Chris Ducker, the serial entrepreneur and author of The Long-Haul Leader, shares a similar practice. His way of slowing down often includes photography—though his lens is usually pointed at birds or the intricate beauty of bonsai trees. Like me, he finds clarity in focusing differently, stepping away from the rush of productivity to see what’s always been there.
Sally Hogshead, bestselling author of Fascinate, captured the essence of Ducker’s message when she wrote:
“Applause is approximately .003% of success. In real life, victories aren’t measured by shiny awards and admiring followers. Your greatest victory is to live like Chris Ducker… not trying to be better, but focusing on the tiny but significant differences that actually matter.”
That’s the shift of perspective. Long-haul leadership is not always about applause, but about alignment—choosing the differences that matter in the long run.
The Long-Haul Lens in Real Life
This year, my own long-haul clarity came in an unexpected form: a treadmill. After facing some health challenges, I welcomed an old but sturdy treadmill into my office. At first, it was purely practical—just a way to keep moving when I couldn’t get outside.
However, over time, it evolved into something else. My treadmill loop turned into a prayer walk, a place where I lift up my family, especially my grandchildren. It’s also a space for listening, processing, and untangling the knots of the day.
And then there’s my “joy space.” That’s found in the woods, where quiet and color mingle into calm. Both places serve me in different ways. Both help me see clearly.
That’s what sustainable clarity looks like. Not grand gestures, but small, steady rhythms.
How You Can Shift the Lens
As we enter the final quarter of the year, I invite you to pause. Take a deep breath and ask yourself:
- Do I need to zoom in—to focus on specific goals I can complete before year’s end?
- Or do I need to step back—to widen the frame and see the bigger picture of what’s unfolding?
Neither answer is wrong. Both are necessary at different times. What matters is that you choose the lens that serves you best in this season.
Practical steps help, too. Research indicates that reflective practices, such as journaling and mindfulness, can actually enhance goal clarity and resilience over time.¹ In fact, a simple weekly check-in with yourself—“What matters most right now?”—can redirect energy in powerful ways.
And when motivation wanes, remember this: progress compounds. Small, intentional steps add up, especially when taken consistently. That’s the heartbeat of long-haul leadership.²
Choosing Alignment Over Applause
The finish line of the year isn’t about proving yourself to anyone else. It’s not about applause or shiny milestones. Instead, it’s about alignment.
Are your actions reflecting your values? Are you showing up for what truly matters to you? Are you tending to the spaces—both practical and joyful—that keep your vision clear?
That’s where peace lives, not in having it all, but in living aligned.
Your Next Step
As you step into the last few months of the year, choose your lens. See differently. Align your actions with what matters most.
And if you feel stuck in the blur, that’s what I’m here for. Sometimes all it takes is a small adjustment—a coaching conversation, a new rhythm, a different angle—to help the whole picture sharpen.
👉 Contact me, and let’s explore how you can see more clearly in the long haul.
References
- Shapiro, Shauna L., et al. “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results from a Randomized Trial.” International Journal of Stress Management, vol. 12, no. 2, 2005, pp. 164–176. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.12.2.164.
- Clear, James. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. New York: Avery, 2018.
- Hogshead, Sally. Quote cited on Chris Ducker’s official website, Books section. “Applause is approximately .003% of success…” https://chrisducker.com/books/
