Rise & Shine: Memorial Day Edition: One Mile at a Time

Every Memorial Day, my family and I head downtown for a tradition that has become one of my kid's favorite rituals: the Memorial Day Mile.

And every year, it sneaks up on me.

Nope, I didn’t train.

Nope, I haven’t run since the last one.

Cardio and I? We’re not exactly best friends. Weightlifting is my go-to, and running feels like a betrayal of our bond. 😵

One year, I showed up in my flat weightlifting shoes and realized I was in for a very painful mile. So what did I do? I walked into a local shoe store an hour before the race and bought a brand new pair of Brooks running shoes. And yes—I broke them in during the actual race.

That same year, my daughter was not having it. From the first step, she was crying, whining, and convinced her legs would fall off. I gave her pep talks, encouragement, distractions—you name it. Honestly, I think those pep talks were just as much for me as her! HA! With about a quarter of a mile left, she stopped entirely. So I scooped her up and ran with her on my back before putting her down to let her run across the finish line.

She survived. Yes, I know...I choose tough love at times to push my kids when they don't want to finish something. And you know what?? She learned a powerful lesson in perseverance.

And honestly? So did I.

The Mile as a Metaphor - How can you "Run with Purpose?"

That one-mile race has become more than a fun family tradition. It’s a metaphor I carry with me in my life and in my career. It reminds me that:

• Big dreams aren’t achieved in a single leap.

• Career pivots and promotions aren’t overnight victories.

• The most meaningful changes happen one mile at a time.

Whether you’re applying for jobs, negotiating your worth, or growing into a leadership role—you’re on a journey.

Some miles will be smooth and sunny. Some will require brand new shoes and a lot of courage. Some will have you carrying others.

Break It Down: How to Run Your Career Mile

Let’s use the mile as a framework. Here’s how you can break down your big career goals into actionable steps:

1. Define the Finish Line. What are you aiming for? A promotion? A career change? Your first leadership role? Clarity is power. If you don’t know where you’re headed, it’s easy to stay stuck.

2. Break It Into Milestones. A mile is 1,760 yards. What are the equivalent steps in your goal?

• Update your resume?

• Clarify your Ideal Career Blueprint?

• Conduct 3 informational interviews?

• Apply to 10 targeted roles?

• Prep for behavioral interviews?

• Build your story stash?

Each one of these is a measurable mini-mile within your greater journey.

3. Reflect Often. Every few weeks, pause and ask:

• What progress have I made?

• What did I learn?

• What’s the next mile marker ahead of me?

This self-awareness keeps you focused, grounded, and moving forward.

4. Adjust as Needed. Did your shoes start to hurt? Did a hill surprise you? Just like my last-minute sneaker switch, don’t be afraid to pivot. Flexibility is part of progress.

For the Job Seekers

Maybe you’ve been out of work for a few months. Maybe you’re sending out application after application, hearing crickets. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll never land something you actually want.

I see you. 💛

Fear can be paralyzing. But what if you just focused on one mile this week?

• Reach out to 3 new connections.

• Prep your answer to “Tell me about yourself.”

• Reframe your biggest win as a story of impact.

You don’t need to run the marathon today. Just one mile. That’s all.

For the New Managers

The transition from top performer to team leader can be a shock to the system. Suddenly you’re not just executing—you’re inspiring. You’re not just doing the work—you’re communicating vision.

And with that often comes a drop in confidence.

You question:

• Am I cut out for this?

• Do people respect me?

• Can I actually lead?

This is the mile where it feels like your legs will fall off. But you don’t have to carry it alone.

Start small:

• Set a weekly 1:1 with each direct report.

• Read 10 pages of a leadership book.

• Ask your team for feedback.

Leadership isn’t built in a day. It’s built in daily actions.

Your Next Step

This week, I want you to think about your Memorial Day Mile.

• What goal have you been avoiding because it feels too big?

• What one step can you take today to move toward it?

• What fear do you need to release to take that first stride?

Because you can do this. One mile at a time.

And sometimes, the mile that breaks you is the same one that builds you. 💪

Let’s run it together. ✨

Need help mapping out your miles? Let’s talk. Coaching support can help you build momentum and clarity—whether you’re job searching, stepping into leadership, or redefining your career path. Reach out anytime.

Until next time… keep rising, keep shining.

💛 Alyssa 

Founder, Rise Up Career Coaching

Helping you find joy and purpose in your professional journey.