5 Career Hacks for the Marathon, Not the Sprint
For International Women’s Day 2026, let’s talk about the unfiltered truth of building a career. We often see the highlight reel—the promotions, the awards, the big wins. But the reality is that a successful career is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a long game of resilience, strategy, and self-belief, often played on a field that isn’t perfectly level.
As an entrepreneur, investor, and keynote speaker, I’m often asked for advice on navigating the challenges that women face in the workplace. The truth is, there’s no single magic wand. But there are powerful mindset shifts and practical “hacks” that can turn obstacles into opportunities. This IWD, I’m sharing five of the most crucial lessons from my own playbook.
Hack #1: Master the Art of the Sustainable Pace
As a young executive, I believed every task was a fire to be extinguished immediately. I ran at a full-tilt sprint, fueled by adrenaline and a fear of falling behind. What I didn't understand is that resilience isn't about how fast you can run; it's about your ability to endure the entire race. Constant motion leads to burnout, not breakthroughs.
Your Career Hack: Stop seeing rest as a weakness and start seeing it as a strategy. True resilience is built during the pauses—the moments you take to reflect, celebrate a milestone, or simply breathe. Intentionally schedule "thinking time" into your calendar. Protect it fiercely. This is where your best ideas are born and your energy is renewed for the long journey ahead.
Hack #2: Shift From Victim to Agent of Your Own Career
It’s easy to get bogged down by things you can't control—bias, office politics, or systemic unfairness. But I’ve learned that blame is a powerless position. My personal motto has always been, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” This isn’t about ignoring injustice; it’s about focusing your energy where it has the most impact.
Your Career Hack: Draw a circle on a piece of paper. Inside, write down all the things you can directly control (your effort, your attitude, your skills). Outside, write the things you can't. Pour 90% of your energy into what’s inside that circle. This simple act will shift you from feeling like a victim of circumstance to the powerful agent of your own career.
Hack #3: Make Your Contribution Visible
Early in my career, I was working 80-hour weeks, convinced my hard work would speak for itself. When I asked for a pay rise, my manager essentially said, “How do we know what you do, or if it’s valuable?” It was a painful but powerful lesson: people can only see what people can see. Your contribution must be visible to be valued.
Your Career Hack: Become the best narrator of your own story. Take 10 minutes every Friday to document your wins. Write down three specific ways you moved the game forward that week. This isn’t arrogance; it’s accountability. It builds your own confidence and gives you a powerful repository of evidence to use in performance reviews and salary negotiations.
Hack #4: Use Empathy as a Strategic Superpower
When faced with unfairness, our first instinct is often to react with force. But the most effective leaders and negotiators operate with influence, not authority. The key to influence is empathy—the ability to genuinely understand the perspective and motivations of the person across the table.
Your Career Hack: Before entering any difficult conversation, ask yourself: “What does this situation look like from their shoes? What are their pressures and priorities?” Understanding their position doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. It gives you the strategic insight you need to frame your argument in a way that is most likely to be heard, turning conflict into collaboration.
Hack #5: Master the Power of the Pause
In a high-pressure moment or an unfair situation, our instinct is to react immediately. But a rushed response is rarely our best one. The most powerful tool you have in these moments is the one you were born with: your breath.
Your Career Hack: When you feel put on the spot, take a deliberate breath and use this simple, powerful phrase: “Let me take a moment to consider this.” That pause is not a sign of weakness; it is a declaration of control. It gives you a moment to manage your emotional response, gather your thoughts, and deliver a calm, considered, and far more impactful answer. Name your fear, breathe, and then respond with power.
Building an enduring and fulfilling career is the ultimate long-term project. For International Women's Day 2026, let's commit to running our own race with strategy, resilience, and a playbook that ensures we not only finish but thrive.
Naomi Simson is a celebrated Australian entrepreneur, business leader, and sought-after keynote speaker. If you’d like to bring these powerful, real-world lessons on resilience, leadership, and the entrepreneurial mindset to your next event, inquire about booking Naomi here.
