You don't always get to choose the weather.
Last week: threshold run in 108-degree heat. This week: same workout in driving rain. Both times, I could have chosen the treadmill. But on race day, I won't get to choose conditions.
Same deal in business.
When market conditions shift—funding dries up, customers tighten budgets, competitors slash prices—leaders tend to do one of two things. Either panic and burn through runway chasing diminishing returns, or freeze all spending and wait for sunnier skies.
Both miss the point: process beats outcome, especially when it's ugly out there.
The Training Mindset
When I'm running in brutal weather, my pace data becomes meaningless. What matters is staying in the right zone for the right duration. The training stimulus is the same whether I'm flying or slogging through puddles.
In rough business conditions, your conversion rates will crater. That's not failure—that's weather. So you double down on the stuff that compounds over time: keeping customers happy, tightening operations, developing your team. Let panicking competitors overspend on acquisition while you preserve cash and build a stronger foundation.
For the Job Market
And honestly? If you're job hunting right now, same logic applies. Your response rates will probably crater compared to 2021. Focus on the stuff that compounds: building genuine relationships, showcasing real work, getting better at your craft. Let others spam LinkedIn DMs while you have actual conversations with people doing interesting work.
Don't Hide on the Treadmill
But here's the thing: don't go hide on the treadmill. Keep testing, keep building, keep shipping, keep applying—just with your eyes wide open and tighter discipline.
The best performers aren't the ones who only shine when it's 72 and sunny. They're the ones who keep their pace when it's absolutely pouring.