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When You’re Bonking in Business: Why Autonomy is the First Step to Growth

  • Writer: Aaron Marcum
    Aaron Marcum
  • May 27
  • 3 min read

Have you ever heard of “bonking” in cycling? It’s when your energy completely crashes. Your legs stop cooperating, your vision blurs, and your willpower disappears. You feel like you simply can’t go on. 


“Bonking” on a 200 Mile Road Race - In 2017, I experienced this when racing in my second 200+ one-day road race, Lotoja. This race starts in Logan, Utah and finishes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and includes four different mountain passes along the route. At about the 80 mile mark, I was beginning to “bonk” due not drinking enough electrolytes on a very hot day. Shortly thereafter my legs cramped as I climbed the next two mountain ranges, giving up the race by mile 125. The race was over for me, after 5-months of training and preparation, all because I failed to fuel properly those first 80-miles.  


How many of us have experienced that same feeling—not on a bike, but as an entrepreneur?!  


In the early years of building my home care agency, I “bonked” hard. And it wasn’t because of a lack of purpose or work ethic. It was because I had no Autonomy. I was running the whole show, constantly solving every problem, and saying yes to every task. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had unintentionally created a culture that revolved around me—and it was unsustainable. 


Over the years I have seen thousands of home care owners “bonk” and burnout, inspiring me to develop what is now the ARCC of Growth (based on positive psychology and other scienced back research)—a model for restoring momentum, purpose, and team engagement. It starts with one vital principle: Autonomy. 

 

The ARCC of Growth: A New Way to Think About Leading Your Team 



Here’s a quick breakdown of the four connected elements of the ARCC of Growth: 

  • Autonomy – Creating space for yourself and your team to think, decide, and act with purpose. 

  • Relationships – Building deeper, more authentic relationships at work by trusting others to step up. 

  • Capability – Developing the skills and confidence that come from being trusted to own responsibilities and delegated tasks. 

  • Confidence – Gaining the belief that you—and your team—are capable of achieving the vision of the company.  


And here’s the ripple effect:  

When Autonomy is present, your team gains more Capability. That capability builds Confidence. And with confidence, your team places trust in the team, which in turn fuels meaningful Relationships—without fear, doubt, or hesitation. 

 

The Burnout Cure? Stop Carrying It All 

If you’re feeling on the edge of burnout, ask yourself this: Where in my business am I holding on too tight? Who on my team is ready to rise if I give them the room? 

Leadership isn't about controlling every detail—it's about creating conditions where others can thrive. Autonomy is not about letting go; it’s about lifting others up. 

 

Small Steps You Can Take Today: 

  • Choose one decision this week to delegate—fully. As a side note, at the Breakaway365 program, we coach on a unique form of delegation that creates a strong partnership between the leader and their team.  

  • Ask your team members what would help them feel more trusted. 

  • Define a clear outcome, and let your people shape the “how.” 

 

Final Thought: Bonking happens when we burn through all our energy without replenishment. The ARCC of Growth is how we recover—and accelerate. Start with Autonomy. The rest will follow. 


 
 
 

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