That sucked.

I've been meaning to write a newsletter but I was having a hard time finding the inspiration.

Some of you know I am training for a half marathon and yesterday I had my final long run at 11 miles. I was excited for the extended time because often, it’s a great time for reflection and new ideas. I was hoping to come away from the run with words spewing from my finger tips. But here’s the thing - it was awful.

I bonked so hard. Questioned my survival, wanted to cry and throw up. I didn’t eat enough, was probably dehydrated and the heat didn’t help. In the end, it was terrible, and I walked away (barely) with only two words in my head: ‘F*** that.’

Why am I sharing this with you? Because, I guess that’s the point. Greatness is not always glamorous, easy or shiny. Actually thats not where progress is made at all.  Did I finish? Yes. Was it pretty? Far from it. Was it fast? Hell no. Was I proud of myself? Actually, after a moment - yes. Because I learned a lot about how to improve, I pushed through and although not gracefully, I moved closer to my goal. 

Even when you didn’t eat enough, you’re too busy, you don’t think you’re worth it, you’re stuck in the story you’re telling yourself, you promise you’ll get to it later, or you convince yourself there are more important things to do, (insert excuse here) - this is about still showing up.

We give away so much of our agency and time to our jobs and our bosses and our metrics that we feel like we’re chasing greatness but at the end of the day, greatness is for you and only you. 

But the journey is better together.

The Arcadia Constellation is a group of leaders of who are chasing their own version of greatness alongside others doing the same. An accountability group to say, show up - you’re worth it. A group to learn from and with, to challenge each other and to level up in all arenas of life - work, mind, financial, relational and physically.

This morning I caught up with Mara Gleason Olsen, our first speaker and a consciousness expert. In our conversation about leadership she said, “Leadership is bringing out the best in yourself so that you can bring out the best in others.”

So often in our busy world, we forget that we are the catalyst to progress, change and, the pursuit of greatness within ourselves. In Arcadia we aim to change this by creating a space for leaders to safely and bravely invest in themselves. So that they can invest in others.

We launch September 3rd with Mara. The first step is simple: just show up. See you there.

Be Great. Be Arcadia.
Sam