If we make the time to exercise, it makes us so much more productive and leads to such improved creativity, cognitive function, and mood that the time we need for doing it will open up and then some—making us so much happier and better at the art of creation, to boot.
September, 2011 Monthly archive
Baradoy, Stange, Baradoy, Stange
The key is finding the balance between delusion and foresight.
The last few months have been a rollercoaster for me. I’ll jump the shark (the snark?) on the boring goring details . . .
Summary: I hit a wall called financial reality, which significantly impacted my ability to race and focus on training. Given some of my choices, this wall was inevitable. I had an overly optimistic view of how much I could bring in through sponsorship and consulting work while training. That said, my triathlon goals are measured in years, not months, so I don’t feel that I’ve fallen off the wagon for racing as a pro. I’m eager to prove myself as a pro and I don’t feel I’ve come close to my potential yet.
I’m now gainfully employed in a fairly stable job, which has enough flexibility to allow me to train and race. I continue to work with Noa Deutsch of PT Performance Training, who I believe is one of the stand-out triathlon coaches in Canada (I believe time will prove out my claim here). I’m extremely thankful to my sponsors whose assistance has always been so helpful. Each of them have been very understanding of my situation and continue to encourage me to my long term goals.
Outside of my own stuff, I’ve continued to be involved in the local community, doing whatever I can to help other athletes and give them any advice I can about the fuller picture of racing at the pro/elite level, which requires not only athletic ability but also a fair amount of business and marketing savvy. To be clear, athletic ability and perseverance are critical; the other stuff is important but meaningless without athletic performance.
If nothing else, my errors can serve as a warning to others so that they aren’t forced into a corner. I really value the opportunities I’m getting to help and invest in other athletes. While I’ve a long way to go still, and much to learn, I really get a lot of joy from helping others accelerate down their path.
Best.
Spectacular achievement is always preceded by spectacular preparation.
Leaders are not what many people think—people with huge crowds following them… .
“Leadership qualities” are not the qualities that enable people to attract followers, but those that enable them to do without them. The include, at the very least, courage, endurance, patience, humor, flexibility, resourcefulness, determination, a keen sense of reality, and the ability to keep a cool and clear head even when things are going badly. This is the opposite of the “charisma” that we hear so much about.
