Well my wife is certainly delighted that the 2009 Tour de France has came to an end. Due to the fact I did not have the Versus channel - I was glued to my laptop watching the Tour de France on the Versus web channel just about every morning for the month of July. I am an avid cyclist but the reason I tuned in this year was because of Lance Armstrong - I was impressed with his comeback. Don't worry I'm not going to bore you with cycling terms and facts this post. I want to focus more on how Team Astana and cycling relates to achieving success!
I have had more than my fair share of adversity this year. Yet the goal at hand has still not changed - I want to achieve financial independence. My mindset has changed though and here is why. I have realized that success - true sustainable success is going to take time (I wanted it to happen over night but...). Success is an endurance sport, not a sprint. And success is a team sport.
To become a pro cyclist is a challenge in and of itself. Not that I have much insight on what it takes to become a pro because I haven't tried. But these guys freakin haul butt, they practically live on their bikes and are fit beyond imagination. So to become a member of the club and even compete you have to put in the miles. That is required by all cyclists. And with those miles comes persecution, lactic acid, pain and real life questioning as to why you choose to undergo such pain. Sound familiar my entrepreneur friend?
Second, to become a champion one needs endurance! Success is not a sprint. These cyclists ride over 2,150 miles in a 3 week period, riding about 100 miles every day. They ascend over 62,000 feet in the mountains, averaging speeds of 25 miles per hour throughout the stage and have reached over 70 mph on downhills. What does one do when the pain kicks in when striving for your goals? Or if a close friend or relative tells you, "You can't do it, you're crazy".
Third, success is a team sport. In the cycling world you have what is called the peloton. That is where the majority of riders hang out. Its pretty easy to stay with the crowd, no wind, plenty of drafting, less pain, but you don't get recognized for being in the peloton. Alberto Contador could not have won the Tour de France on his own, he had the assistance and support of his team and a huge mentor with years of experience and strategy Lance Armstrong. The team protects you, they set you up for winning and you get to draft off your teammates for the majority of the stage, which in turn allows you to preserve your energy to be used when attacked by your opponents. Each teammate serves a different purpose on the team throughout the entire journey. When the going gets tough who is your team that you can turn to for support?
Being a champion and reaching ultimate success takes courage, tenacity and especially endurance. Don't give up, never quit and the sun will rise again in the morning. Lets work together to be successful. Life is a journey...here are the thoughts of Tony Robbins in his book, "Unlimited Power".
"It is not what happens to us that separates failures from successes. It is how we perceive it and what we do about what 'happens' that makes the difference.
Did you know, "Only a small percentage of people really live the life of their dreams. Why? It takes effort. It takes consistent action.
"In every man and woman's life there comes a time of ultimate challenge - a time when every resource we have is tested. A time when life seems unfair. A time when our faith, our values, our patience, our compassion, our ability to persist, are all pushed to our limits and beyond. Some people use such tests as opportunities to become better people - others allow these experiences of life to destroy them.
"Why do some people overcome horrible, unimaginable adversity and make their lives a triumph, while others, in spite of every advantage, turn their lives into a disaster? Why do some people take any experience and make it work for them, while others take any experience and make it work against them?"
I have had more than my fair share of adversity this year. Yet the goal at hand has still not changed - I want to achieve financial independence. My mindset has changed though and here is why. I have realized that success - true sustainable success is going to take time (I wanted it to happen over night but...). Success is an endurance sport, not a sprint. And success is a team sport.
To become a pro cyclist is a challenge in and of itself. Not that I have much insight on what it takes to become a pro because I haven't tried. But these guys freakin haul butt, they practically live on their bikes and are fit beyond imagination. So to become a member of the club and even compete you have to put in the miles. That is required by all cyclists. And with those miles comes persecution, lactic acid, pain and real life questioning as to why you choose to undergo such pain. Sound familiar my entrepreneur friend?
Second, to become a champion one needs endurance! Success is not a sprint. These cyclists ride over 2,150 miles in a 3 week period, riding about 100 miles every day. They ascend over 62,000 feet in the mountains, averaging speeds of 25 miles per hour throughout the stage and have reached over 70 mph on downhills. What does one do when the pain kicks in when striving for your goals? Or if a close friend or relative tells you, "You can't do it, you're crazy".
Third, success is a team sport. In the cycling world you have what is called the peloton. That is where the majority of riders hang out. Its pretty easy to stay with the crowd, no wind, plenty of drafting, less pain, but you don't get recognized for being in the peloton. Alberto Contador could not have won the Tour de France on his own, he had the assistance and support of his team and a huge mentor with years of experience and strategy Lance Armstrong. The team protects you, they set you up for winning and you get to draft off your teammates for the majority of the stage, which in turn allows you to preserve your energy to be used when attacked by your opponents. Each teammate serves a different purpose on the team throughout the entire journey. When the going gets tough who is your team that you can turn to for support?
Being a champion and reaching ultimate success takes courage, tenacity and especially endurance. Don't give up, never quit and the sun will rise again in the morning. Lets work together to be successful. Life is a journey...here are the thoughts of Tony Robbins in his book, "Unlimited Power".
"It is not what happens to us that separates failures from successes. It is how we perceive it and what we do about what 'happens' that makes the difference.
Did you know, "Only a small percentage of people really live the life of their dreams. Why? It takes effort. It takes consistent action.
"In every man and woman's life there comes a time of ultimate challenge - a time when every resource we have is tested. A time when life seems unfair. A time when our faith, our values, our patience, our compassion, our ability to persist, are all pushed to our limits and beyond. Some people use such tests as opportunities to become better people - others allow these experiences of life to destroy them.
"Why do some people overcome horrible, unimaginable adversity and make their lives a triumph, while others, in spite of every advantage, turn their lives into a disaster? Why do some people take any experience and make it work for them, while others take any experience and make it work against them?"
Are you willing to pay the price?
5 comments:
hi travis
just a short note to say that i really enjoy reading your inspirational messages...it made a big difference in my life now..i moved here from logan, utah to vegas...tough times here in vegas...i quit my job last week..not too sure what next...but moving on...it going to be roller coaster finding another job...but i have confidence in myself...never give up like you said...again, thanks for your support.
gary hoey
Travis,
Well written and well put. You are right, but man its tough.
Thanks for writing that.
Hans Hegge
Gary & Hans...I'm glad you enjoyed the post. We all need to hang in there. No point in quitting now.
Travis, you should be an inspirational speaker!
Thanks Drew that is very kind of you.
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