Am I running in the right direction—or just running fast?

Have you ever paused mid-stride and asked yourself:

Am I running in the right direction—or just running fast?

It’s easy to stay on autopilot, especially when you’ve mastered the art of getting things done. The routine feels familiar. The pace feels productive. But every so often, it’s worth stepping off the treadmill to ask if you’re headed where you truly want to go—or if you’re just keeping up with the speed.

Think about it: companies set strategies and regularly review them to ensure they’re aligned with their goals. Why shouldn’t we do the same in our own lives?

When you pause to take stock of where you are, you create space to assess how well your current path matches your aspirations. You might feel like you’re excelling in one area—career, perhaps—but notice other aspects, like relationships, health, or personal growth, are trailing far behind.

This isn’t about guilt or regret. It’s about clarity.

In conversations with seasoned executives, I often ask them to score different aspects of their lives—not to judge themselves, but to identify where they’re thriving and where they’d like to recalibrate. Sometimes, a simple exercise like this shines a light on areas that deserve more focus or energy.

When you identify what truly matters to you, it becomes easier to ensure every step, every choice, every effort aligns with those priorities.

Reflection isn’t about slowing down; it’s about making sure the effort you put in gets you closer to the life you truly want.

So, take a moment. Step off the treadmill. Ask yourself: Am I running in the right direction? Because when you are, every step feels like progress—and every mile is worth the effort.