Accelerating Growth: The Daily Work of Getting Better

One thing I love about Clipper Race training is that it never lets you get complacent. Nothing is ever truly “won.”  Passing Levels 1 and 2 doesn’t guarantee success in Levels 3 and 4—and they make sure you know it. That mindset keeps me sharp, focused, and in learning mode.
The 11 skippers for the 2025-26 race have been announced, and on May 17th, we’ll find out who our skippers are and which of the 11 boats and teams we’ll join. 
Introducing the Clipper 2025-26 Race Skippers

While I haven’t been back on the water yet to practice sail evolutions, I’ve been doing my homework: reviewing videos, rereading my training books, and prepping for what’s ahead. I’ve also recommitted to cross-training. I’ve kept up a solid swim routine-- three times a week for most of the fall, winter, and spring--and recently added three runs and two weight sessions a week. I had forgotten just how much cross-training accelerates strength. The combination is working. I feel stronger and more prepared for my back-to-back training weeks in May.  With the clock ticking, every day counts.
Focus, Energy, and Consistency
My coaching clients experience something similar. When they focus their energy, reinforce new habits, and stay consistent, progress follows. For example, let’s say a client has been promoted and now needs to operate more strategically. That often means getting out of the details, delegating more effectively, and blocking time in their schedule for high-level thinking. To make those shifts stick, they must become intentional about how they use their time. It requires deep focus and a willingness to examine which habits support their goals and which ones no longer serve them.
Repetition Builds Results
In training, repetition is essential. The same is true for leadership.
When a client commits to change, we build the structure to support it. If their goal is to think more strategically, that might mean setting aside half a day every week for visioning and planning. Or setting recurring meetings with cross-functional partners to move key initiatives forward.  Whatever the action, it becomes part of the routine.  It’s not glamorous, but it works: rinse and repeat.
Drilling Down to Drive Change
Of course, change only works when you’re clear about what needs to shift. That’s why I spend time with clients drilling down into specifics: What does being “more strategic” actually look like? What are the precise goals? What research, collaboration, or planning needs to happen, and when? What’s getting in the way of consistent follow-through?
If a client is stuck in the weeds, we identify the detailed tasks they’re doing that should be delegated, one by one. For example, if they want to stop writing long emails, we revise a real one together: from three paragraphs to three sentences.  We practice until it feels second nature.  Because once you have clarity, momentum follows.
The Mindset Behind the Work
As I prepare for the next round of Clipper training, I am doing the same work: staying focused, being consistent, and repeating the daily habits that build readiness and resilience.
It’s the same mindset I aim to cultivate with clients. In both sailing and leadership, lasting progress rarely comes from doing something big once. It comes from the small, repeated actions that add up over time--until they become part of who you are.
If you are interested in learning more about our services, you can visit our website www.desormeauxconsutling.com or contact me: [email protected].