 When I began training as a distance runner, I learned about a type of workout called fartlek training. The idea is simple: during a long run, you add short bursts of faster running at random intervals. Sometimes you sprint to the next streetlight, sometimes you pick up the pace for 30 seconds, then recover and return to your steady rhythm. In the moment, these sprints hurt, but in the long run they trained my mind/body, and made me faster. They got me closer to my goal…FASTER.
So why am I talking about running? This concept of the fartlek can be applied to reaching any goal. Career transformation and entrepreneurship are marathons. They require endurance, patience, and long-term commitment. But if all you ever do is move at a steady pace, it’s easy to plateau. You lose momentum, motivation dips, and progress feels slow. That’s where the sprint comes in. A sprint is a focused burst of effort around a clear goal. Short, structured, and strategic. It’s about saying...For this specific window of time, I’m going all in on building momentum. It’s not forever, it’s for now. And that makes it psychologically doable. Why Sprints Work (Mentally and Practically) Short-term focus fuels follow-through. You can do something hard when it’s clearly defined and time-limited. That’s why 30-day challenges, bootcamps, and even NaNoWriMo (write a novel in a month) work. Our brains thrive on urgency and boundaries. Clarity replaces overwhelm. A sprint forces you to focus on what really matters, not everything, just the essential things that create traction. Momentum compounds. Small wins in short bursts build confidence. Once you start moving, it’s easier to keep going, even when the marathon stretches ahead. Some of my coaching engagements are designed as short, high-impact bursts rather than long commitments. And time and again, I’ve seen how much momentum can be built in just a few focused weeks. From 9–5 Employee to Entrepreneur in Motion One of my clients was ready to transition from her full-time job into consulting and coaching. But with the daily grind of work, family, and caregiving for both children and parents, she couldn’t find the time to start. So we created a 30-day sprint, and worked with intention. For this defined period of time she hired extra help and said ‘no’ to extra distractions. In one 4-hour intensive, we: Took her headshots Picked her brand colors Designed her logo and built a basic website Within a week, she: Drafted her lead magnet Continued to expand her website Posted her first videos Announced her first event In a month, she went from “I’ll do it someday” to “I’m in business.” All because we turned someday into a defined sprint. From Drifting to Directed Another client came to me with no resume, no LinkedIn, and no clear direction. She just knew something had to change. Being underemployed for years, focusing on caregiving instead of her career. But now her children had left the home, and it was her time to build her career and bank account! In her 30-day sprint, we: Clarified her career vision Built her personal brand and relaunched her LinkedIn profile Created a master resume that told her story with power Crafted a networking strategy and messaging plan By the end, she wasn’t drifting, she was actively pivoting her career. Imagine what’s possible when you dedicate one focused window of time to your own growth. From In the Weeds to Working on the Business And for my small business owners, the sprint concept is just as transformative. One entrepreneur I worked with was drowning in daily operations. She couldn’t scale because she was too busy doing everything herself. Together, we used her sprint to: Identify what truly moved the needle Decide what to delegate or systemize Build a simple support structure, people, tools, and priorities, to free her time By the end of the sprint, she had space to breathe and a clear path to scale. Sometimes growth isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing differently. The Marathon Is the Year and The Sprint Is Your Power Move If 2025 feels like a marathon, then the final stretch is your chance to add a burst of energy, your sprint within the marathon. That’s the idea behind my new experience: Project YOU: Your Year-End Power Move Join my guided sprint to the end of the year. Designed to help you refocus, rebuild momentum, and finish strong. Whether your next step is a career pivot, a rebrand, or scaling your business, we’ll do it together. Imagine how it would feel to finish up the year in motion, with clarity, accountability, and energy. Transformation doesn’t start on January 1st. It starts the moment you decide to move. Are you ready to make your year-end power move? Join Project YOU, and I’ll share details on how to join the private community and start your sprint. www.mariadastur.com/project-you-sprint #CareerPivot #ReinventYourCareer #PortfolioCareer #DreamBigDoBigger #MomentumMindset #MonetizeYourBrilliance #WomenInTransition #DesignYourLife #CareerCoach
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