The Energizer Bunny was a Liar: The Endurance Myth
We’ve all heard the message: Keep going, no matter what. Push through. Hustle harder. Some time ago I marveled at the little messages on the wrappers of Halls cough drops (“Tough is your middle name,” “Don’t try harder, Do harder,” “March forward”). When I was in my 20s, that felt empowering. In my 30’s I started to question it,
I thought I was sick, that’s WHY I’m using these cough drops.
Now in my 40s, I simply call bullsh*t when I see it.
Endurance is often framed as an unbreakable force – like the Energizer Bunny, endlessly moving forward without pause. But here’s the truth: real endurance isn’t about running yourself into the ground.
Endurance isn’t a straight line of effort. It’s a cycle – a rhythm of sprint, jog, and rest. Those who last the longest don’t just push; they pace. They know when to lean in and when to step back. They understand that recovery isn’t weakness – it’s strategy.
This myth is even more pervasive and insidious than one might imagine.
Picture me, (true story) packing for vacation and being sure I have all the books on my Kindle, all my “notes” and multi-colored pens/highlighters, and podcasts downloaded in my phone in case internet is patchy. I mean, I’m going to have so much time on my restful beach holiday that it’s the perfect time to get in all that reading and listening (aka personal development/goal setting/research) that I usually don’t have time to do…
Sound at all familiar? If you’ve been caught in the myth that endurance means never stopping, it’s time to rethink. Let’s break it down.
The Traditional View of Endurance
We’ve been sold a narrow definition of endurance: relentless perseverance, pushing through no matter what, grinding until the job is done. It’s the mindset of “never stop, never quit.”
Think of how endurance is often portrayed – elite athletes collapsing at the finish line, entrepreneurs sleeping in their offices (ahem.), the Energizer Bunny mindlessly marching forward. The message is clear: if you stop, you fail.
But here’s the problem. This version of endurance assumes we’re machines, capable of infinite output with no need for recovery. It ignores the natural cycles of effort and restoration that allow us to sustain our energy over time.
The truth? Endurance isn’t about never stopping. It’s about knowing when to push, when to pace, and when to pause.
If we want to go the distance, whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, we have to rethink what endurance really means.
The Reality
If real endurance isn’t just pushing forward nonstop, then what is it? It’s the ability to stay in the game for the long haul – by working with your natural rhythms, not against them.
Think about a long-distance runner. They don’t sprint the entire race. They know when to speed up, when to settle into a steady pace, and when to conserve energy for the final push. Even elite marathoners strategically rest between training sessions because they understand something crucial: without recovery, endurance breaks down.
The same principle applies to life. Whether you’re leading a business, managing relationships, or pursuing personal growth, your endurance depends on a cycle of sprint, jog, and rest:
- Sprint – Times of intense effort and focus, where you push hard toward a goal.
- Jog – A steady, sustainable pace where progress continues but at a manageable intensity.
- Rest – The crucial pause to recharge, reflect, and regain strength for the next round.
This rhythm isn’t a sign of inconsistency – it’s a sign of wisdom. Understanding when to push and when to pause is what separates those who thrive from those who burn out.
So if you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down (don’t I KNOW it!), take this as permission: rest is not quitting. It’s part of the process.
Why Rest Is Part of the Equation
Rest has a serious PR problem. Even though we see so much in the media about “making time for self-care”, the world is still obsessed with productivity – and we still often view rest as laziness, weakness, or a lack of commitment. But the truth? Rest is a power move. It’s what allows endurance to be sustained rather than just a short-lived sprint into exhaustion.
Here’s why rest isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential:
- Recovery Fuels Performance
High achievers often push through exhaustion, thinking it’s a sign of dedication. But science tells a different story: rest improves focus, creativity, and resilience. Just like athletes build strength in recovery periods, our best ideas and breakthroughs often come when we step back.
- The Burnout Spiral Is Real
When we ignore rest, we don’t just get tired – we get ineffective. Overworking leads to poor decision-making, emotional exhaustion, and diminishing returns. The body and mind will demand rest eventually, whether we allow it or it forces itself upon us through illness, apathy, or breakdown.
- Rest Lets You Go Farther, Not Just Faster
Think of endurance like a bank account. If you’re constantly withdrawing energy without depositing rest, you’ll hit empty. Those who last the longest are the ones who prioritize refueling as much as they prioritize effort.
- Rest Doesn’t Mean Stopping
Rest isn’t about dropping everything and doing nothing (unless that’s what you truly need, and seriously, don’t knock it til you’ve tried it – it’s wooonderful). It can be active recovery—a shift in focus, a slower pace, or even intentional reflection. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to pause and reassess.
If you want true endurance, rest isn’t optional – it’s part of the strategy. The strongest, most successful people aren’t the ones who never stop. They’re the ones who know when to stop so they can keep going.
Signs You’re Stuck in the Endurance Myth
Even when we know rest is essential, the endurance myth runs deep. It sneaks into our thinking, convincing us that slowing down is failure and that we have to keep grinding no matter what. So how do you know if you’ve fallen into the trap?
Here are a few signs:
- You Feel Guilty for Resting
When you take a break, do you feel a nagging sense that you should be doing something productive? If rest makes you anxious or guilty, it’s a sign that hustle culture has hijacked your mindset.
- You Push Through, Even When Exhausted
You tell yourself you’ll rest after the project is done, after you hit the next milestone, after everyone else’s needs are met. But that “after” never comes because there’s always another reason to keep going.
- You Equate Slowing Down with Falling Behind
If you believe taking your foot off the gas—even briefly—means you’ll lose momentum, you might be stuck in the endurance myth. True momentum is sustainable; burnout isn’t.
- You’re Always in Sprint Mode
If every day feels like a race, with no natural ebb and flow, you’re probably over-relying on the sprint phase of endurance. But sprinting without recovery isn’t endurance, it’s depletion.
- Your Body (or Mind) is Screaming for a Break
Lack of rest doesn’t just drain energy. It affects everything. If you’re struggling with decision fatigue, brain fog, emotional outbursts, or physical exhaustion, your body is waving a giant red flag: you need to pause.
The good news? You don’t have to do what they tell you. Be a rebel with a cause. Recognize the lie in the endurance myth. It starts with a mindset shift – from seeing rest as indulgence to recognizing it as strategy. Because if you want to last, you need to play the long game.
Redefining Endurance for a Balanced Life
So, if endurance isn’t about relentless motion, what is it? It’s about knowing when to push, when to pace, and when to pause. It’s about shifting from survival mode to sustainable success.
Here’s how to redefine endurance in a way that actually works for you:
- Honor Your Natural Cycles
Instead of forcing constant output, start recognizing your own rhythm. Ask yourself: Am I in a sprint, jog, or rest phase right now? When you work with your energy cycles instead of against them, endurance becomes effortless.
- Redefine Rest as Part of the Process
Stop seeing rest as a reward for hard work – it’s part of the work. Build recovery into your routine before you hit exhaustion. Whether it’s a 5-minute breather, a weekend recharge, or a full reset, schedule it like any other priority.
- Let Go of the “All or Nothing” Mentality
Success doesn’t require pushing constantly or stopping completely (unless you’ve been pushing a little too long). Most of the time, there’s a middle ground. Sometimes, slowing down just means shifting gears, not slamming on the brakes.
- Watch Your Inner Narrative
If your first thought when you take a break is I should be doing more, challenge that voice. Replace it with:
✅ “Rest is a power move.”
✅ “Pausing now helps me go farther later.”
✅ “My value isn’t measured by my output.”
- Play the Long Game
The people who achieve real, lasting success aren’t the ones who burned the candle at both ends. They’re the ones who understood longevity beats intensity. They built a foundation of endurance that allowed them to not just succeed – but thrive.
The New Definition of Endurance
Endurance isn’t about never stopping. It’s about staying in the game long enough to win. It’s about recognizing that the strongest strategy isn’t pushing harder, but pacing smarter.
So the next time you feel guilty for slowing down, remember this: Rest isn’t a retreat. It’s a strategy for staying in the race. And that? That’s the real power move.
If this idea challenges everything you’ve been told about success, good. Because the truth is, sustainable achievement is about knowing when to push, when to pause, and when to pivot.
So here’s my invitation: Take a moment to reflect.
Where are you forcing endurance when you really need renewal?
What would shift if you gave yourself permission to recharge?
If you’re ready to explore a different way – one that builds real momentum without burnout – I’d love to support you. Let’s talk about how you can create a rhythm of success that actually works for you.
💬 Book a free 30-minute call and let’s map out your next power move.