Under Six?

One Is A World-Record Holder
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.

Don’t Complicate Things

Simplified or Paralyzed?
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 Succeeds Due to Failure

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?

Power In The Impossible

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.

43rd

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?