Your best just got better

Set...A...Bigger...Goal!

If you've never accomplished something a little bigger than you...

'Tis the season...Triathlon season that is! This year, I plan to complete 6 triathlons, another half dozen running races, and one bike ride from Marin County back to Ojai, CA (let me know if you're in...We always get a group together for the 4 day journey!).

There are at least three "-tions" you will experience when you set a goal a little bit bigger than yourself...Innovation, Inspiration, Information...

Innovation: Setting a goal, by very nature of you thinking about something you don't yet have, or have not yet experienced, gives you the opportunity to "think outside the box." For years now, I have practiced goal setting in all sorts of places other than my office desk. You see, if I am in a bookstore, on a train, sitting in a conference room of a hotel, or in a movie just 10-15 minutes after it just ended...I'll have different thoughts about what I want to be, do and have.

Try it out...Grab a pen and a notebook and go sit on a bench, go to lunch at a "fancy" restaurant, or simply sit on the floor. Then, on the top of the paper write down, "In the next 6 months I would like to be, do and have..."

Inspiration: Now, be careful, because if you really do this activity with full intention, you're going to write down more than you can actually do in the next 180 days. So, the real trick is to turn potential into action...To turn opportunity into focus...To turn overwhelm into intention.

Inspiration is a special effect...Just think about the first time you saw the movie Star Wars (ok, I was only 5 when it came out, and I remember the lasers and light sabers were simply out of this world!). Inspiration is something that resides inside that needs some outlet, needs some action to match so that what we think about...We do.

Information: And, what pulls (and holds!) it all together is gathering, processing, and sort the information we will use to continue our momentum. Whether digital (audio/video presentations, e-mail, PDFs, etc) or physical (books, magazine articles, mentors, etc) the information you have around you will play a significant role in getting you from here...To there.

Here's a hint: Write down a 7-9 month goal on a 3X5 note card and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Each morning, wake up and write down AT LEAST one resource (person, building, book, author, website, etc) you could look into that would move you toward completion.

• Want a quick start? Go to the bookstore, and subscribe to at least 2 magazines about the topic you are inspired to take on. Just think, if each magazine only had 2 articles that were relevant, in the next 12 months you would be 48 times smarter in your area of interest!

Whether in work, or sport, family or play, set a goal a "little bit" bigger than yourself and see how the BIG 3 [Innovation. Inspiration. Information.] come together for you!

Oh, one more picture from the Admiral's Cup triathlon on 30 May 2009

  I'll get mine in the mail this week (I didn't stay for the awards ceremony)...

Admiral's Cup, 2009 (sprint distance triathlon)

Admiral's Cup Triathlon - Sprint Distance
30 MAY 2009
400 meter swim / 12 mile bike / 3 mile run
Air Temp: 64 / Water Temp: 50 / Wind from NW / Ocean Current toward SE
2009 Admiral's Cup Triathlon Race Results by EternalTiming.com

 I've always thought it would be amazing to have a "race report" written before, during and after a race. But, as I'm nowhere NEAR a professional athlete, the day after will have to do! Below, just a couple of pictures of the event, and a little (I promise, just a little!) commentary about the connection I see between performing on the field, and performing in the workplace. Please click on each picture to see it a little bit bigger. (Send me an invite to Facebook, and you can see more commentary on each photo!)

 

Since starting to race as an "age-grouper" competitive triathlete in 2001, as well as starting the path toward owning and operating my own consulting firm, I've found at least four connections to performing on and off the actual "field."

Right Mind: On the way to the event, I "rehearsed" the course in my mind several times. I'd completed this race many times over the past few years, and knew "most" of it. When we arrived, and listen to pre-race announcements, we learned they had changed the run portion to be a 2-lap, out and back twice, route. With the swim and the bike the same, I was able to quickly and effectively visualize this new run course.

I do a very similar activity before each coaching call, on-site coaching program and seminar. (In fact, I also visualize submitting an article, if that's what I'm working on!) I have found this to be an extremely powerful process...To see it before I see it! (For the intro to our last OjaiInstitute TeleSeminar, click below!)

See It Before You See It 01

Right Equipment: Gear makes a difference...It just does. I've got PLENTY of tri gear, and I admit I'll probably buy some more before the year is over. There is just something special about setting up in transition area and believing that I do have quality equipment, sized right, maintained properly, and ready for the race. I like to "forget" about the gear I have, and just work.

This is why I wrote the book, "Maximizing Microsoft® Outlook®." You see, too many people let their tool / gear / system slow them down. The moment you have to "think" about whether or not the tool will do something (or, worse, when you get frustrated that it DOESN'T do something!) you slow down. Your attention is compromised, and your performance drops.

Right Support Team: I wouldn't want to race alone; a team makes (more) things possible. I like to arrive to my races early enough to set up, and then spend a few precious moments with friends and family who come down to support me through the day. Years ago I read several books by Steven Covey, and even went to a few seminars. One of them talked about making "deposits" into an "emotional" bank account. During the race, I want people yelling my name...Before and after I need to let them know how much I appreciate them.

The "mentoring" program I started for clients years ago works as an 8-week "check-in" process that uplevels their work/life game. The people who are attracted to this process always realize within 2-3 weeks how critical it is to have people "on their team." (Or, as Jim Collins says, "on the bus!")

Right Results: I'll always remember the time I was talking to a 6th grader at a race years ago. He was there to watch one of his brothers race...When he found out I too was competing, he turned to me and asked, "So, are you any good?"

It's a good question to ask yourself when you look in the mirror in the morning. "Am I any good?" It doesn't matter what the subject is, just ask yourself and see what happens. On the way to the race yesterday, I was focused on Placing in the top of my bracket. I had heard they were only giving awards to the top two athletes in each age group, so that gave me one of two chances to earn the medal.

All the training, mental visualization, gear and support paid off. I had a good day, placed second, and am already getting ready for the next race!

Woo Hoo

!

Put yourself "there," before you need to be there!

Well, I definitely was inspired last month in chatting with Chris Lieto - professional triathlete. I reached out to him a month or so ago, after reading some of his advice and training ideas in an issue of Triathlete magazine.

My "request" was to get him to share some of the tools, tips and techniques he used in preparing for AND performing in this amazing sport. I especially wanted to hear his advice on how to keep "my mind in the game."

We had about 15 minutes to talk on the phone, and I walked away with some GREAT ideas to try over the next few races.

One of the stand-out prompts - nothing new, but for some reason makes a LOT of sense right now - is to "image-in" racing next to someone much more successful than me. Then, as I go through the different events, to look over and ask: "What would _____________ do right now?"

Of course, the more I know about each athlete (thanks again Chris!), the easier it will be to race alongside them. So, I'm really lookin' forward to this triathlon season...It's going to be a series of different races, that's for sure!

Ironman 70.3 - New Orleans, Loiusiana

Well, just a couple of hours until this thing gets started! It is just amazing what a long-term goal can do.

I registered for this race months ago...and, it always seemed like it was far away, like I had plenty of time to train! So, I am now here, and in 8 or so hours from right this moment I will be done.

That is the interesting part of goal-setting. Matching the "here and now" with an absolutely clear picture of "then."

How about you? Where are you now...and, where are you headed?

Practice makes...habit - another view

Thank you Nik for this amazing post on the practice of practice.
Titled, "What kind of basics do you practice? " this mini-article really hit home for me. Just yesterday morning, I got off the treadmill (after a 17-mile bike ride) and went immediately to my floor exercises and stretching. I realized that this is the time of year where I really need to get the "basics" down.
Professionally: We're working from a new business model that is incorporating a stronger and more consistent "follow-up" program to our seminars, coaching and product line. One of the things we did was ask for (and listen to!) our customers who said that attending a seminar is one thing, and going back to implement a whole 'nother thing! So, for those of you who attend a seminar, expect 6 emails that next month with ACTIONABLE ideas on how to more effectively DO what you said you would DO!

Personally: I realized some 11 years ago that I was saying yes to a whole more more than I could actually do. Identifying the "mission" that I was living at the time (to be a high school teacher who connected community, parents and learning to students' experiences) gave me the "filter" I needed to excuse myself from committees, leave different meetings on time, and create the "time-blocks" for myself I needed to rest, recover and return.

Athletically: Speaking of recovery, here's something that both Nik and I share...a love of racing triathlon. Those of you who have followed my blog over the past 6 years know that come April I will be in full "racing and training" mode. If there is one thing I've learn it's this: Every hard/strenuous workout or race MUST BE followed by a rest and recovery period. In the recovery time, comes reflection. And it's there that I can "mentally review" what I did, and mentally rehearse what to do next time. And in that rehearsal (which by the way is PERFECT every time...why would I ever lose in my own daydream???) is where I practice seeing what I want to see the next time.
Here's my favorite line from Nik's most recent post:

If I trained additional techniques without understanding the reason for mastering basics, I would have a false impression of my real capability.

Ventura County - 5K run today, called the "Salmon Run"

I'm very, very excited this morning...I get to meet up with some friends at a great community event called the Salmon Run. Yeah, you guessed it...we run along the Ventura River, 1.5 miles up-river, and then back down to finish the 3.1 mile race.

After my performance at the last 5K, I'm planning to race this one smarter, and as fast or as faster. The mistake I made last month was going out too fast...I hit the first mile at 5:35...the third mile was so slow, at almost 6:30!

Don't know if I'll hit sub 19:00 today, but sure would love to have a fun, healthy and safe race.

See ya out there!

New York City - triathlon - Here I come!

Start spreadin' the news...I'm leavin' next July!

For those of you who have followed this weblog for any time now, you know I'm an avid "age-group" triathlete. That means I'm not planning to race with the pros anytime soon...but, those guys in my age group better watch out!

I finished 18th in my age group in NYC in 2008 (and 5th in my age group in Malibu, CA two months later). Here's the write-up for the '08 race.

I've already told my "coaching staff" that I'm planning for a Top 5 finish in NYC in 2009. Yes, it's a BIG goal, but we've got to have one of those every now and then pulling us forward. (Or is it pushing us along?)

There were 20,000+ people who tried to register...I'm so happy I'm in! See ya in 10 months...

60 Minutes till race time, and all is well!

I got a great bike-rack spot...at the end of the lane, 30 yards from the bike/run out area!

Lookin' forward to a great day of racing...

The Nautica Malibu Triathlon...how cool is THIS!

Ok, so although I'm "just an 'age-group' athlete," looking at the list of who is racing tomorrow [9/13/2008] is SO COOL!

 

(from the website...)
The Nautica Malibu Triathlon Olympic Distance race on Saturday, September 13th offers great opportunity to all professional triathletes. With a prize purse of $40,000, we are the 4th largest Olympic Distance prize purse in the United States!

Here is a list of the Professionals competing for the prize purse:

Male:
  Hunter Kemper          
  Chris Lieto         
  Timothy O'Donnell         
  Bryan Rhodes   
    Fabio Canvalho
    Bjorn Andersson            
    Matt Reed                   
    Oliver Freeman
    J.J. Kaye             
    Stephen Hackett               
    Guto Antunes 
    Jim Vance          
    Stuart Hayes      
    Dan Frost                  
    James Cotter   
    Matt Lieto