Positive response to change

“It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”. – Charles Darwin

What (traumatic, scary, big thing) happened? 

How did you respond?

The courage to succeed

Success takes desire and discipline.  But it also takes courage.

The courage to risk the usual.  The courage to step out of the crowd at the risk of making a mistake and looking foolish.  The courage to challenge our self-concept and the voice in us that is telling us to play it safe.

If you are trying to be more and do more, you can feel those moments when it takes courage. 

Do it anyway.  

Thought into decision

Thought.

Thought plus action = decision.

What decision do you need to make?

The Courage to Challenge Your Identity

Some people will wrestle a crocodile or bungee jump off a high bridge or ride an angry bull.  That’s courage.

But the courage we all need is the courage to face our own mental constructs of who we are – to fight our ego and break the bonds of who we think we are to become something better.

There are many people who have shown physical bravery but won’t face the inner battle squarely, and others who won’t climb a ladder, but are the most courageous people among us.

Capture the Ideas

Ok this is freaky – On June 2, 2019 I got to bed late – about 2 am.  I was in the San Nicolas Hotel in Ensenada BC, Mexico.  You see, I had just finished the Baja 500 in 19 1/2 hours.  I was really beat.  But I only slept 5 1/2 hours. 

I woke up with my mind obsessed on the underlying theories about how humans ascended to be the dominant species; ambition, self-interests, free markets and capitalism and how innovation and standard of living improvement have gone vertical and why.

What?  Seriously?  Yep.  My brain was in the zone. 

I woke up and wrote notes in my journal which I take everywhere – even to the Baja 500.

Ideas are slippery things.  They are vaporous and fleeting.  You can’t control when you’ll do your best thinking, but when it comes, you have to go with it and write.

Capture the ideas. The palest ink is better than the best memory.

Talent, Skill and Performance – not need

When I rolled my motorcycle up to the starting line facing 800 miles of hostile terrain and a time limit of 34 hours, I don’t say to the challenge “I need this”. I can only present talent, preparation, skill and performance.  That’s all that matters.

You don’t present need to opportunity.  Your need doesn’t matter.

Bring your skill up to the challenge.

Go!

You don’t get anywhere sitting around in your comfort zone.

Get out of it.

Don't lose focus

Due to the rain that we have been having here just in time for the Baja 1000… the officials have decided to postpone the start of the race by 24 hours! 

Regardless, I am staying focused on the end goal! I am ready!

Confidence comes from doing it

For three long years, I tried to finish the Baja 1000 solo.  Every time I thought about it, I was anxious, and adrenaline shot into my system.  It was horrible.  I knew it would end badly and pain would be involved.  I did not know I could finish because I never had.

But to finish, you have to start first.  I prepared all year and my team and I got me to the start line.  Each year I felt more confident.  Last year I finished.  Now, I know I can do it.  I am a veteran.  

This year I have far less anxiety and far more confidence.  That’s how it is for us.  Big challenge?  Not confident?  Prepare the very best you can.  Do it anyway and don’t quit.  That’s how you become confident.  

Doing hard things makes the rest easier

On Friday at 3 am Pacific Time I will be on course in the Baja 1000, the longest non-stop cross country race in the world.  Again, I will be in the solo class called the Ironman Class.  My son Tanner will be racing in the same class.  Last year I joined my son as one of only 20 riders to ever finish solo, in 34 1/2 hours straight on a motorcycle in rough desert terrain.

Why?  Why would I do it again?  It’s super dangerous and horrible pain and suffering.  

Good question.  And now that I finished last year, my answer is that it’s a magnificent personal challenge.

Doing hard things like this makes the rest of life seems easy.  Challenge makes you tough.  And this one gives me a reason to train all year.  

I’m ready.  

Live tracking at score-international.com.  I’m #714x and Tanner is 775x.