I broke my foot... again

September isn’t just another month, for many it’s a reset. For parents, it’s back-to-school madness. For leaders, it’s the “fresh start” energy of new routines, new calendars, new goals. There's that surge of momentum where you think: This is it. I’m going all in.

But here’s the truth no one likes to say out loud: you cannot live in that surge forever.

I learned this the hard way. Four weeks ago, I broke the same foot, in the same place, exactly one year apart. The first time, I thought, “Okay, universe, I’ll slow down.” The second time? That was a full stop. My body was done with me carrying the weight of responsibility, impact, and expectation on shaky ground. And I had to face the question I’d been avoiding: What is no longer serving me?

That pause became my teacher.

Here’s what it showed me: leadership has range. If you only know one speed (full throttle) you will eventually crash. The work is learning to move between states, with intention.

So let's talk leadership states:

⭐ Sprint

This is your fire. The energy that rallies a team, launches a project, moves mountains. We need it. But when you stay here too long? You burn out. I lived in Sprint until my body literally cracked under the pressure.

Reflection: Where are you sprinting right now, and what’s the cost?

⭐ Anchor

This is your pause. The moment you take a breath, clear the noise, and ask yourself what actually matters. Anchoring isn’t weakness. It’s courage. It’s choosing to stop pushing long enough to see what rises when you stay still. For me, two broken bones forced me into Anchor.

Reflection: What’s one thing you could release this fall to create space for clarity?

⭐ Flow

This is your rhythm. The sweet spot where action and reflection work together. Flow is sustainable. It’s where your systems carry the load so you don’t have to hustle every second. This is the state I’m claiming now. Because thriving isn’t about doing it all, it’s about doing it with alignment.

Reflection: What small structure or routine could you put in place to make success more sustainable?

And here’s the kicker: this season isn’t about working more hours than your CEO (yes, that happens. I’ll share that story in a LinkedIn post soon). It’s about building a foundation that lets you reset, recharge, and rise.

Ready to expand your leadership range this fall? Book a free discovery call.

Together we unleash forward,
Salima Valji

P.S. Want 15% off of this year's National Menopause Show? Use code MPOWER15 at checkout!