This is Snack BOxD, a highly digestible digest from me, Nenuca Syquia, CEO at Better Organizations by Design (BOxD). Every month, I share quick, actionable ideas to help leaders and teams level up to get better results. If you’re new or just hungry for more, don’t forget to subscribe here!

On the menu this month: Building momentum and overcoming the mid-season slump.

Based on what I hear from my marathoner friends (and my own attempts to just do a 10K), marathon running is no small feat. It’s a 26.2-mile journey that demands not only physical endurance but also careful pacing and mental resilience. In the early miles, runners settle into a sustainable rhythm, keeping energy output in check to avoid burning out. Around the mid-point of the race, they refuel to maintain stamina and replace depleted glycogen stores.

Despite all this preparation, many runners still experience what’s famously called “hitting the wall.” Around miles 18-20, the body’s glycogen levels dip sharply, muscles fatigue, and every step can feel like pushing against quicksand. It’s a moment when even the most seasoned runners question whether they can keep going. But for those who push through, it’s more than just a physical victory; it’s a testament to the power of mental fortitude, strategic pacing, and a supportive community.

This same challenge often appears in organizations as they approach the latter stages of a major initiative. The good news? Just as marathoners prove, the wall doesn’t have to stop you—it can be the turning point that leads to a triumphant finish. And that’s where team coaching and thoughtful leadership strategies can make all the difference.

Signs You’re Here

• New Ideas are Flowing: Teams are buzzing with new ideas and optimism. You might see them volunteering for extra tasks or pitching bold solutions in meetings, saying things like “What if we tried…?”
• Optimistic Energy: Communication flows easily, and people are excited about possibilities. Your teammates might come away from brainstorming sessions saying things like, “We’ve got this!” or “Let’s see how far we can take this!”
• Clear Direction: Challenges feel surmountable, and the path to success appears straightforward—“We know exactly what to do next” is what you’ll hear.

Tips for Maximizing Success

• Set Realistic Pacing: Channel the enthusiasm you feel in your team into a clear, well paced plan. Too much early sprinting can lead to burnout.
• Establish Micro-Wins Early: Don’t forget the power of micro-wins — small, immediate goals you can achieve and celebrate quickly. Each success boosts confidence and sets a solid foundation for tackling tougher phases ahead. (If you missed how to break big goals into bite-sized steps, check out our February Snack BOxD for a quick refresher!)
• Encourage Cross-Team Collaboration: Energy is contagious—use this phase to form or strengthen relationships across teams. You could consider adding a weekly “Collaboration Jam” (a brief 15-minute team check-in) where members share updates, celebrate breakthroughs, and spot opportunities to help each other. These brief touchpoints spark new ideas that might never surface in siloed settings.

Signs You’re Here

• The initial excitement has worn off, but major obstacles have yet to appear (or haven’t fully formed).
• Teams are in a workflow groove, focusing on execution rather than brainstorming big new ideas.
• Momentum is positive, but there’s a risk of complacency if left unchecked.

Tips for Maximizing Success

• Conduct Mini-Reviews: Check in on milestones weekly or bi-weekly to confirm you’re on track. Use these brief sessions to celebrate progress, address immediate roadblocks, and make any necessary course corrections before issues escalate.
• Balance Efficiency with Innovation: Keep refining processes, but carve out dedicated time for new ideas. You might consider scheduling a half-day each month for teams to prototype and experiment, then debrief to quickly apply what worked—and what didn’t—to your daily operations.
• Maintain Team Morale: Recognize day-to-day efforts, not just big wins. Frequent shout-outs and small celebrations foster a sense of progress, keeping energy levels high and your team feeling valued.

Signs You’re Here

• Team members seem overwhelmed or disengaged. Morale starts dipping.
• Projects stall or move slower than expected; deadlines slip.
• You sense a growing uncertainty about hitting targets—or whether those targets are still relevant.

Tips for Maximizing Success

• Refuel and Reflect: Gather your team for a pulse check – pinpoint what’s draining energy, then brainstorm quick fixes or adjustments. By tackling issues early, you preserve momentum and show empathy for your team’s workload. This simple ritual can re-energize everyone involved.
• Revisit & Reshape Goals: Sometimes, your original milestones need tweaking. Adjust timelines or scope to sustain your team’s motivation. Regularly review progress to stay aligned with shifting priorities and keep everyone focused on the ultimate target.
• Provide Targeted Support: Offer coaching or extra resources to ease pressure and rebalance responsibilities as needed. Just as importantly, reconnect your team to the deeper “why”—invite them to talk with customers, share impact stories, or envision the consequences if this effort didn’t happen. By linking tasks to tangible outcomes, you fuel motivation and keep everyone aligned with the bigger picture.
• Reframe the “Why”: Sometimes, the work itself doesn’t change, but how we view its impact can. Remind your team that any role can spark innovation—even “routine” tasks. For instance, data clean-up can power insights, fuel smoother processes, and ultimately elevate the client experience, giving team members a renewed sense of purpose.

Signs You’re Here

• You’ve pushed past the worst of the slump, and goals suddenly seem achievable again.
• Teams rally around renewed focus or redefined milestones.
• Progress accelerates, and the finish line is now in sight.

Tips for Maximizing Success

• Keep the Energy Flowing: Keep celebrating those micro-wins to maintain confidence and unity on the team.
• Plan for Post-Finish: As you approach the goal, start laying the groundwork for what comes next. Sustained success is about continual growth, not just crossing a single finish line.
• Document Lessons Learned: Host team retrospectives to capture insights and best practices. Apply these immediately to future goals or projects.
• Shift Gears to Regenerate: As Rachel Maddow puts it, “When you are burned out, it’s because you burned a specific gear in your brain. But the Lord gave us a lot of different gears. When you use the other ones, you regenerate.” Encourage your team to rotate tasks or try out new challenges to break from their usual routines. This change of pace can alleviate mental fatigue, spark fresh thinking, and restore overall energy.

Hit Your Stride and Finish Strong

By borrowing strategies from marathon runners—pacing, refueling, and staying mentally tough—you can empower your team to push through the wall and keep running toward the bigger goal. With a little help from the team here at BOxD, you can ensure that everyone remains energized, focused, and ready to cross that finish line together.

Ready to sprint (or jog steadily) through your next goal?
Click below to explore how BOxD’s Team Coaching solutions  can help your organization build momentum and maintain focus.