222 Seconds and Eight Years (2 Min Read) | Vol. 217

August 21, 2026

“The best thing we do is Every Day. And the hardest thing we do is Every Day.” – Buzz Williams

222 Seconds and Eight Years

On July 18, Josh Kerr ran a mile in 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds. Sixty thousand people packed London Stadium to watch. The world record he broke had stood for 27 years. Long enough to wonder if it would ever be broken. 

Kerr named his attempt “Project 222.” That’s how many seconds it would take to make history. But how he covered those 5,280 feet in record time isn’t what you’d expect.

Two years before that race, a reporter from Athletics Weekly asked Kerr about his training. “I don’t do crazy workouts or crazy mileage. I just don’t miss days. Consistency is my biggest weapon. I’ll break any athlete down with how consistent I’m going to be training-wise and just getting the work done.” 

Consistency is a weapon. That’s his secret. And he talked about it two full years before he proved it. 

He didn’t say showing up is important. He said showing up is how he beats you. That’s a very different way to look at the boring stuff on your calendar. 

Kerr didn’t do it alone. He’s worked with the same coach, Danny Mackey, since he turned pro in 2018. Eight years. Same voice, same plan, slowly refined.

That’s also rare. Most of us swap our approach every time we get frustrated. It’s easier to jump to a new program than examine our commitment to the one we’re doing. Starting over feels easier than sticking it out. 

Your competition can outspend you. They can out-hire you. What they can’t do is beat you at showing up. Not if you refuse to miss days. Most people can’t stand the monotony of success. 

One question to ponder in your thinking time: What’s the ONE thing I could refuse to miss for the next 90 days?

Make an Impact!
Jay Papasan
Author | CEO | Coach