If you want to go far...

Before I take you on a metaphorical journey, I wanted to mention two very important truisms that I was reminded of recently.

Truism #1 — “Shit happens.”

Truism #2 — “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

A gravel bike race is interesting endeavour — before you start the race everything is made available to send you on your way and when you finish, you are offered everything to celebrate your accomplishment. Between start and finish though, you are expected to be self-sufficient — there are no course marshals, no water stations and no one looking out for you if there’s any trouble. The 65 km race I signed up for was increased to 71 kms on the day of the race, and a decision to turn left instead of right added another 10 kms to that. As I pointed out, shit happens.

I was about halfway through the race when I came alongside three other riders at a stop sign — I quickly joined in as we looked for a green arrow that was a common marker along the route; there was nothing to indicate if we should turn right or turn left. After consulting our phones, various copies of maps and written instructions, four strangers agreed that turning left was the way to go. The next five kilometres of road was a challenging uphill ride and at the crest of a hill one of us stopped. As we caught up, it was suggested we’d turned the wrong way, and grudgingly, we all agreed. We had to turn back.

It was at that moment we:

added 10 kms to the ride.

added at least 40 minutes to our race time because of extra riding, discussions and decision making.

became a small team with the simple goal of finding our way and finishing the race.

For reasons conscious or unconscious, we all realized that there was a better chance of finishing the race if we stuck together — there were more green arrows “missing” but as a group we found our way; we encouraged each other when the trail became extra challenging; there was alway someone who saw the green arrow when others didn’t, and we would take turns with the pace to ensure we all finished. We even tried to help other riders on the way.

After being on the road for approximately 5 hours, 30 minutes and 29 seconds, we all crossed the finish line and thanked each other as we made our way to meet others. I will never know what would have happened if I had been on my own, but what I do know with complete certainty, when Asha, Devon, James and I made that left, I knew I would finish (and I remember saying to myself, “I’m going on an adventure.”)

As I crossed the finish line, I was out of water and food, on the verge of dehydration, cramping in both legs — and for my efforts came in 152nd**.

Definitely doing it again next year.

iamgpe

** Of the 200 riders that started, only 158 crossed the finish line.

In your search for business success, or any success for that matter...

There Will Be Blood, mostly in the figurative sense, although sometimes, in the literal sense too.

If you've ever seen the movie There Will Be Blood, you are familiar with the opening twenty minutes and the journey of the main character as he builds and defines his success; cumulating in the movie's dramatic finale. My intent is not to critique the movie but look at the movie's opening as an analogy, reminder, and motivator for success in anything you do. 

For those who have never seen the opening scene of There Will Be Blood, I have attached it for your viewing pleasure.

Anyone who is trying to achieve something can't help but identify with the imagery and struggles of the man in the mine... both literally of figuratively. It is a stark reminder of the trials and tribulations on the road to success.

• Building on an idea, and the search for success, can be a very lonely venture.
• Hard work is the only way; day after day, after day...
• Things will go wrong and no one will be there to help you fix it. It is yours to figure out.
• There will be times when willpower and conviction are the only two friends you have to keep you going.
• The road to success is hard, painful and difficult.
• Over time, and little by little, the momentum of success builds and the trials and tribulations continue.
• You decide the type of person you will be as your success builds.
• There is no success unless you try.

And finally, I don't remember anyone saying it would be easy.

iamgpe