Lessons From A (Sprint) Triathlete

I am embarrassed to say that...I really enjoyed my summer! So much so, that I have not blogged since July. As a business owner, I am supposed to be stressed out, never take vacations and leave all the enjoyment of life to others - says who! I enjoyed a week of camping with my family and really relaxed. Even though I tried to manage the email queue, I suffered for weeks when I returned trying to whittle down the count to less than 100 email messages - but it was worth it.

I would like to say that I returned from vacation energized with a new outlook - but I honestly did not. I was energized before my vacation and I still have the same focus - and the same woes.

That being said, since I have returned we have seen an increased user base for Val-ID-ate, added a few more Account Executives and increased our client list. The summer was good. On a personal note, I competed in my 3rd Danskin Triathlon and for the first time finished the entire swim course on my own.

So, that leads into my concluding story: 2 years ago I decided to participate in the Danskin sprint triathlon. I didn't compete for the physical challenge. The bike and run distances I can do without really training in preparation. I participated because I AM AFRAID OF SWIMMING. I refused to let this fear win, so I decided to face it head on. That competition in 2006 was a disaster in my book. There were "swim coaches" in the water and they basically pulled me through the course. I was literally hanging onto one of those foam noodles with which children play. For many, that would be demoralizing. But if you know anything about me, that just made me more determined to try again. In 2007 I participated again - this time in Orlando, FL. I didn't do much better. I swam without the assistance of a flotation device, but was informed by my loving spouse that I had been detoured because I was having such difficulty - so I did not complete the entire course.

This year I was determined not to hyperventilate. And guess what - I hyperventilated! I was the last one in and the last one out. It took me 33 minutes to complete the 1/2 mile course. Regardless, I am proud of my accomplishment of talking myself off the ledge and plowing through.

I look at running our business in the same way. The issue for me with swimming is that I fear drowning. My ability to reason goes out the door. I KNOW that I most likely will not drown, but that still does not stop me from being scared. I also know that the floor is not right below me, so I cannot stand up - which also fuels my anxiety. So, I have to keep moving forward. Now, if I really get into trouble someone is there to save me - but I would see that as the ultimate failure. As with this business, I have to keep moving forward. Often, I know that I cannot stand up and I get very anxious - but I just roll over, float, calm myself down, roll back and being stroking again.

Boy, that shore seems far.