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Look No Further

I like big goals. (And I cannot lie). One of my big goals for this year is to complete an endurance race. For those of you unfamiliar with this method of personal humiliation and masochism, an endurance race is a greuling test of human will that often involves multiple activities (running, biking, swimming, crying, etc.) that can span multiple days.

Being new to the sport, my race of choice is part of the Jeep Sprint series put on by Genesis Adventures. A "sprint" is a race that covers a course of 15-20 miles that must be completed in less than 8 hours. This is a good starter race for me, and I actually participated in one a few years ago. (I've still got the blisters to prove it.)

I was sitting on the couch yesterday thinking about my goal to complete the race later this year. I took another sip of my Piņa Colada and thought back to my last racing experience. I had a pretty tough go of things that day. As I pedaled my mountain bike through the first stage, I kept thinking "Man, this course is hilly - no wonder I'm tired." As I paddled the canoe, I thought "Man, it's hot on this lake - no wonder I'm exhausted." As I ran along the winding trails, I thought "Man, this course is sandy - no wonder I think I'm going to die."

I realized that I had focused on everything other than myself as a reason for my problems, my discomfort, and my frustration.

Many of us demonstrate this type of misplaced focus in terms of our personal success, as well. (Usually without the heatstroke.) Sometimes we become frustrated in our goal pursuits or our station in life, and we immediately set our sights on external factors. "I'd be happy in this relationship if he'd just listen to me." "I could do a better job if my boss weren't so stupid." "I could get out of debt if they'd pay me what I'm worth." "I'd go to the gym if this bed weren't so darn warm and cozy."

There are millions of external things that will hold you back if you go looking for them, but their influence on your success pales in comparison to the factor that matters the most: you.

It's called "personal success" because it's up to you to define and achieve whatever that means in your own life. Doing so requires a laser-tight focus on your own efforts and your own outcomes. The next time you're not 100% satisfied with your progress, point your finger to your chest and ask the following personal questions:

"Do I have the right mindset?" Am I sending my brain healthy and constructive messages that I can succeed? Or am I sabotaging my success out of the gate by questioning my self-worth or likelihood to succeed?

"Am I doing the right things?" Am I working hard to achieve my future success? Do I have a clear vision for what I want to accomplish and do I have a credible plan to make it a reality? Am I demonstrating the discipline to follow-through on those things I know I need to be doing?

"Am I getting the right results?" Have I seen the expected impact of my efforts? Do I need to change my plan slightly? Do I know what progress looks like in the first place?

"What more can I do?" Have I truly given 100% of myself to achieve my goal? Is it still possible for me to give just a bit more of myself in order to break through?

Once you've done the deep soul searching, if you find that you've done everything you can possibly do and you're still not where you want to be, you've got to change your approach. You may have set an unrealistic goal or you may be a part of a situation that simply won't allow you to succeed. If so, redefine your goal, leave your dead-end job, end that toxic relationship, and get over it.

Before you do that, though, remember that in my experience, most people who complain about their life situation go through this exercise and realize that they haven't done all they can. By committing to take charge, they usually find that they can improve their outcomes and grow in the process.

You can accomplish some really great things in life, but you've got to keep the focus where it belongs - on yourself and your own contributions. Look at it this way: it's great news that your personal success is in your hands! (Sure beats the alternative.) Whatever you're going to accomplish in life is defined first by you and then by environmental factors.

I know that this realization can be a tremendously scary proposition at times. It requires courage and accountability. If those are your knees I hear knocking, never fear! Let the power of your goals give you the strength to overcome any obstacle - including yourself. Please don't shy away from giving us the best you have to offer!

In my case, I came to the realization that if I wanted less chest-clutching and whining during my upcoming race, I needed to start training more now. (I still finished my Piņa Colada, though.) I realize now that my race results will be less influenced by the terrain and the weather than by my own efforts and attitude. My success is up to me, and I'm okay with that.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find my other running shoe. (It's going to be a long summer at this rate.)

Coaching Quickie: Look No Further

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: Something from Nothing
What was your favorite Seinfeld success moment?

(38%) George saves a whale while pretending to be a marine biologist.
(00%) Elaine takes control of the J. Peterman catalog while her boss recovers in Burma.
(00%) Kramer becomes a Calvin Klein underwear model.
(63%) Jerry makes billions of people laugh by doing what he loves.