The Answers Seem to Be Behind The Fence
Getting in shape, whatever that means, is something most people know to be a reasonable and desirable goal.
But doing it is next to impossible for many people.
Do you know why?
Do you know the secret to overcoming what most can not, will not, and do not overcome?
Crazy thing is, both those questions have been answered here at Lane 8, at least a dozen times in the past 14 months.
One Is A World-Record Holder
“Ever worry about being too fast?”
This is usually not anything that crosses a runner’s mind.
And if you’re not a runner, think of it this way, “Ever worry about being too good at something you’re working hard to be good at?”
Um, let me guess, “No, it never crosses your mind. Why would it? Who doesn’t want to be really fast, or really good?”
Exactly.
Except.
Except when too much too soon could be detrimental to your long term success.
Heading out for a five-mile run. I sure hope the fourth mile isn’t under six minutes.
Not yet anyway.
Simplified or Paralyzed?
One of the secrets I’ve learned is that it’s better to simply get started and do, rather than worry and wait.
Yeah, at risk with a business card as “unprofessional” as this is that people won’t take you seriously.
However, what’s also at risk with some really slick, professional business cards is they will also get neglected, not because they aren’t professional, but rather because they’re boring.
Many people think if they do things a certain way, then everything else will fall into place.
Maybe. If you work for an established organization.
And maybe if all the critical tools and resources – marketing, legal, human resources, community relations, public relations, media relations, finance, advertising, hiring, organizational structure, vision, mission, brand, etc – have long been established.
Maybe, but, if you’ve ever dreamed of being an entrepreneur, you are in for a rude awakening.
Same goes for health.
Here’s to hoping your phone never rings in 2010 with this, “Honey, it’s for you. It’s your wake-up call.”
Lane 8 is successful because Lane 8 is a failure.
Huh? Exactly.
I could try and explain it to you, but you already know what I’m talking about, don’t you? If you are confused, this 30-second You Tube video should clear it up:
There, that’s the point of this Lane 8 message today. We succeed in proportion to our willingness to fail.
Fearing failure is a sure fire way to have success elude you. Who wants that?
What’s the power in the impossible?
Everything!
Yesterday, in a casual conversation, a friend mentioned that 90% of humans, if given the chance to transform themselves into something better, would not do so.
Can’t assure you this is a valid statistic, however, I’m using it here to illustrate a simple point. Even if the statistic is incorrect, there is something we can all agree on.
Most people (no matter the exact percentage) are afraid of change. Period.
And yet change is the only constant. Period.
What does this mean to you? Probably nothing, unfortunately. Why? Because 90% reading this are afraid to change. Most won’t think the impossible is possible.
Friday we went to Twistee Treat, like we always do, and our order came out the drive thru window, like it always does (without ordering).
The friendly Twistee Treat employee, Lori (may or may not be her real name), asked, “How’d it go?”
We’ve been going to Twistee Treat for four years and Lori was always there on Mondays and Fridays. For the past year or so though, Lori has a different schedule, we rarely see her.
Quickly, my brain started working overtime to remember what Lori was referring to. Nothing.
So I sort of embarrassingly asked Lori, “How’d what go?”
“The track meet.”
Then it hit me. I gave Lori a Lane 8 business card at some point and must have described the Lane 8 vision. You know, “If your goal isn’t impossible….I don’t care if I get the worst lane and come in last.”
Because I’ve had time to process, and have overcome the reluctance to just spit it out, I was able to come right out with it, “Forty-third. In the world.”
“There were 5,300 athletes from 80 different countries. In my event (400m) alone, there were 63 athletes aged 50-54. Eight of them were Americans. Seven made it to the semi-finals. I was the one that didn’t.”
43rd. In the whole world. Ya with me?
“Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work”. — Bette Davis
Every single day I’m reminded how importatnt our attitude is in the results we get.
Are you?
“If your goal isn’t impossible, you’re not reaching high enough”. – jeff noel
Good luck today with your health goals. Set ‘em high. Carpe diem.
What is impossible? Almost everything, right? Our goals, our ambitions, World Peace, eliminating poverty.
What is possible? Ordinary, average, common, within reach, comfortable.
If people only focus on what’s impossible, they won’t focus on what is possible.
Did you catch that?
If people only focus on what’s possible, they won’t focus on what is impossible.
It’s a catch-22 isn’t it?
“Dude, you is crazy”.
Hardly a day goes by where I don’t feel misunderstood.
Yesterday brought that home more powerfully than usual.
It could be the pressure of the approaching deadlines:
What if I don’t make it to the semi-finals?
I certainly don’t expect to make it to the finals, but the semi’s, absolutely.
And as a reminder, even though I don’t expect to make it to the finals, that is still the goal.
Why?
Because it’s impossible.
Many people I think, rarely, if ever, as an adult, attempt impossible goals.
Because of this, if you are a person who is chasing an impossible goal, your focus, your thinking, your actions, the pressure – it’s very different than normal, everyday type of behavior.
It has to be.
This experience has exposed me to, and taught me, so many things on so many different levels, that I can’t even begin to describe it.
So anyway, I’ll just leave it at that for now.
Make it a great day, because if you don’t, who will. Remember, I’d rather try and fail, than live with the regret of not knowing. Carpe diem, jeff noel 