Classic Tortoise and The Hare Illustration

On Monday, I somehow talked my husband, Chris, into going to the gym with me for my usual 5:30 am swim. Considering that it was his day off, this was a wonderful accomplishment. I wanted him to accompany me to give me feedback on my stroke since I seem to swim so slowly (1-1/2 minutes to finish a lap). Now remember: I only swim because I hate it and refuse to let it get the best of me. This is also the reason I participate in sprint triathlons - masochism as motivation. So, I got into the pool and did my 18 slllooooowwww laps. Chris got in the pool, did a lap....rested...floated on his back...rested...etc. When he did his laps he was always faster than me but, needless to say, he did not complete the 1/2 mile workout. So, of course I find the business relevance for this experience.

It is the classic Tortoise and The Hare theme - slow and steady wins the race. But how do you prevent yourself from panicking when you see the competitor swimming by? How do you know that they are running out of steam. My last memory of Chris swimming was 10 years ago on our honeymoon when I had to sit and watch enviously as everyone swam from our boat to a floating bar. He confidently swam without looking back. Those are the memories that you have when you remember your friendly competitor's strength and dominance in the past - and you can't let that prevent you from participating in the competition. I use the excuse at least once a day: "oh, we won't bother with that RFP because we are up against those 'big guys' and we won't be able to beat their bid price" Often that IS the case, but if we don't try how will we find out when an opportunity truly exists? I sat with a great colleague today who reiterated how great it would be if we just got one major client on retainer. My excuse for not expending the energy: "oh, they only want the big guys". I am my own worse enemy. My memories of my husband's strength prevents me from competing - when in reality, my husband has lost that edge, and the only way that I would know this is by getting into the pool with him.

So, it is time to jump off that starting block and get into the midst. I have taken my swimming lessons and I am improving every day. Competitors beware.

BTW: This is my new challenge. To hold the pose in this picture for at least 15 seconds. I will let you know when I accomplish this feat - because I will ;-)

It Hurts When You Shoot Yourself In The Foot

I am in the middle of studying for a real estate exam. I am pursuing a real estate license to increase my level of all-around marketability. I gave myself a certain amount of time to complete this task - and I have exceeded it. Sound familiar? It is the same situation as when you give yourself a set amount of time to reach a destination - and it takes double or triple the estimate.

So, realizing that I will NOT get through 22 chapters in one night I have basically accepted a defeat of sorts (and made matters slower by drinking wine). I have re-worked my approach and set a new goal, but that means so many things will be negatively affected. This is a cycle that I see happen often that I would like to see disappear! These are detours that prevent me from moving forward. But who places these obstacles? Who forced me to tend to Verify-ED business during the class instead of paying attention?

As a balance to this setback, today I finally reduced the time it takes me to swim 1 lap. I am still very jealous of the woman who shared the lane with me and the man in the adjoining lane. Even though they were larger, they outswam me with ease. The woman seemed like she was just floating atop the water!

The key with goals: set your own, pay some (but not much) attention to the competitors around, and don't be last to the finish line! Tortoise and The Hare, baby!!

Now, back to studying....arghhh!!

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.