Have you ever wondered where your day went? Are you able to stay focused and are you nailing your key 20% and moving your life at lightning speed forward? Or do you fall into being the victim and repeating what you do day in and day out accepting the same results, over and over?
Recently, I challenged myself to make a detailed, itemized account at how I spend my week. I included pretty much everything – how long I took to get out the door in the AM, my office activities, even how long I sleep. By doing this I was able to match up my weekly goals with my accomplishments and then analyze just how much time, I actually spent in my key activities. I accomplish my top five activities and I stay laser focused on my goals.
One of my goals is to have a more balanced life. I want to experience on a regular basis what it’s like to enjoy my gardens, to read a great book, to sit and watch the river on our new decks, to have a relaxing dinner with friends, to wake up naturally in the AM after a full night’s sleep. Over the past months I take time to practice the art of relaxation. However, when you look at my daytimer - there is rarely more than fifteen minutes that isn’t accounted for. I have still yet to master, the art of goofing off for a whole day.
My #1 goal is to make a larger impact in a shorter span of time. By knowing how I spend my time – helps me understand my beliefs around certain activities and what my subconscious is programmed to create. If I believe I can – I will. The secret is to see things in a way that will empower me towards achieving what I want. Reflecting, how I spend my day vs how I’d prefer to spend my day shows me the limitations in my thought patterns. The journey from my Point A to Point B is really quite simple just not overly easy (or sometimes direct). . . as of yet. However, the clearer my intention, the faster the results will come.
Sometimes, I forget that this is earth school and I have a mission to accomplish within the period I am here. Instead of staying on the true course, I temporarily get side tracked and involved in drama that's around me. I allow myself to become distracted and I find myself on someone else’s path. In most cases, if I stayed true to my own path and off theirs I would have more to offer.
Opportunities are in abundance around us.Each time I say yes to any opportunity. I am saying no to a different opportunity. Taking stock of how we spend our days, allows us to strategize and make choices allowing us to reach our goals, sooner.
Training my mind set to keep moving forward, in the predictable pattern of an accountable individual, can be very enlightening. There is no shortcut, and no grey area to accountability. Either you are accountable or not. Reality shows up – how I respond will depend on my mind set. Being accountable is a choice . . . so is being a victim.
To be accountable I begin by figuring out what the situation is – without attaching emotion – I seek clarity. I then “own it” and get focused on the outcome, I wish to achieve. I look at my options – check out models, systems, strategies – I think in possibilities. I create an action plan and move forward.
When I choose to be a victim, I fight reality, denying it every step of the way. I put the blame on someone or something else. I make up excuses and deflect and eventually resign myself to accepting the status quo. The length of time I perpetuate victim behaviors, determines how long I stay stuck. Some people will spend their whole life as a victim while others will shift. The only way through is to let go and own your part. Sometimes letting go, is the longest journey that a person will ever take.
Whenever I find myself moving towards victim behavior I pull out my gratitude journal and I read out loud all 360 things that I am grateful for. It doesn’t take long for my mind set to shift. Once that happens, accountability rushes in and I move forward.
I’d like to end this thought with a poem from Dr. Heartstill Wilson:
This is the beginning of a new day.
I have been given this day to use as I will.
I can waste it, or use it.
I can make it a day long to be remembered for its joy,
its beauty and its achievements,
or it can be filled with pettiness.
What I do today is important because
I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever,
but I shall hold something which I have traded for it.
It may be no more than a memory,
but if it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price.
I want it to be gain not loss,
good not evil, success not failure;
in order that I shall not regret the price
that I have paid for it.
Have a powerful week!
Deb
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Lessons learned from an IRONMAN:
As most of you know I was away from the office for 8 days at the end of August, what you may not know is that I was in Penticton, the site of one of the athletic wonders of the world, the 27th edition of Ironman Canada.
Arriving in town the atmosphere was absolutely electric, the streets were filled with thousands of athletes and there was a feeling of nervous anticipation everywhere. In a few short days would be the culmination of months, for some even years, of training.
This event is an amazing example of “Anything is possible” when it comes to the human spirit.
Set a goal, make the commitment to yourself to do what is necessary to achieve it, take massive action, adapt to and overcome the obstacles that face you along the way, celebrate the ultimate joy of accomplishing what you set out to do!
Swim 3.8 km, Bike 180km, Run 42.2km. In that order, consecutively on the same day!
For those participating (I would say racing or competing but for most the goal is just to finish) there have been countless hours of training at the pool and on the road building the endurance to be able to complete this mammoth task and the speed to ensure they can do it all in under 17hrs. Most of them would have experienced some form of illness or injury along the way but have had the spirit and resilience to carry on and get ready for the big day.
The reality really sets in the afternoon before the race when the athletes check in their bikes and other necessary gear for the race then try to find a way to spend the rest of the day with their feet up “relaxing“ as they await Sunday morning.
Sunday morning starts early as Main Street fills up at 5am with bodies waiting to be marked with their numbers and coated with sunscreen. After one final check of the bike, they all wiggle their way into their wetsuits and make their way to the starting area on the beach.
The start is an amazing spectacle!
There is no courage without first feeling the grip of fear!
Over 2600 wetsuit clad swimmers line up and nervously wait for the horn which signals the 7am start, the largest mass start in triathlon history! It looks like thousands of hungry seals trying to fight for position in a race for their last meal. The huge crowd`s roars soon turn to oohs, aaahs and some nervous tears as friends and loved ones embark on their epic journey. Some describe it as “like being inside a washing machine” where 10,000 limbs bump and kick, churning the water into white foam. As the clock ticks toward the 2 hour and 20 minute time limit to complete the swim leg, hundreds of volunteers `get ready to assist the athletes in their transition from swim to bike. All but 7 who started would make the cut off and be allowed to continue onto the bike course, unfortunately for the first time in the 27 years history of the race an athlete passed away after experiencing difficulties in the swim.
As the swimmers make their way out of the water and rush their way through the transition area, they transform themselves into endurance cyclists setting out to ride 180kms as fast as they can as the cool early morning gives way to the blazing heat of the Okanagan sun. As if the distance and the heat weren`t enough the bike route includes some long steep climbs and the challenging and ever changing Okanagan Valley winds and on this day smoke from the numerous forest fires in the area filled the air.
The Summit of every mountain is reached the same way...one step at a time! (in this case one pedal stroke at a time)
As we drove along the bike course we were witness to numerous flat tires, a few crashes, some mechanical failures and the pain and strain written all over the faces of those who underestimated the difficulty of the route and were just not having a good day. Hundreds of cheering fans and the hordes of volunteers manning the aid stations along the way shout words of encouragement to propel the riders to the finish of the ride.
Nearly 200 would not be able to finish the ride by the 5:30pm time limit or were otherwise not able to continue onto the run course.
The steady stream of riders made their way back into town to lace up their running shoes and run their weary legs out onto the road for the final test of the day. A Marathon!
The crowds gathered along the entire run route to support and encourage and the bleachers and streets near the finish overflowed with excited spectators awaiting the finishers. The first finishers crossed the line while many of the others were still out on the bike course! The overall winner this year, Jordan Rapp, stopped the clock at 8hrs 25minutes and 13 seconds.
After the adventure out on the bike course I hurried back to the finish line for the start of my shift as a Finish line volunteer. This is the best place to experience the essence of this race! Every athlete as they cross the finish line is greeted by a pair of volunteers, also known as “catchers”.
The finish line is an unbelievable cross section of emotions. The first is the absolute elation of finishing this test of human endurance, sometimes punctuated by shouts and pumping fists, sometimes by tears. This is usually followed closely by the reality that the body is FINISHED! Some collapse at the finish line, some lose complete control of their bodily functions (which can be messy) and some need immediate medical attention. There are severely cramped muscles, overheated and dehydrated bodies but most important of all is the incredible pride of accomplishment each of the 2381 finishers share.
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.
I finished my time as a volunteer at 7:54pm when I greeted my wife Deanna at the finish line, she had achieved her goal of finishing in the daylight and shaved over 40 minutes off of her previous personal best at this event. The fear and concern of all of the “what ifs?” of the day gave way to the pride and joy of being in the presence of achievement at a very high level, I am very proud of what she has accomplished! Overcoming a case of the flu and a serious bike crash in the last 6 weeks before the race to come back and finish her 3rd Ironman in style!
We have many friends and acquaintances, and have made many new friends, who participate in this event and others like it. I am proud to know them all and find inspiration in their commitment, their amazing endurance and ability to overcome adversity.
As the clocked ticked toward the end of the day another true inspiration arrived at the finish line, the 79 year old Sister Madonna Buder (a Nun from Spokane) who has finished Ironman an amazing 35 times became the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman event.
The final official finisher crossed the line with a clocking of 16:59:35 just 25seconds before midnight and the final deadline.
Tim Ryan from Sherwood Park, Alberta
YOU are an Ironman!
This is truly an amazing event to witness!
These amazing individuals inspire the belief that you can do anything you set your mind to as long as you are willing to do the work.
The discipline you learn and character you build from setting and achieving a goal can be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself.
The morning after the race thousands lined up to register for next years` event! The 2600 spots available for next year were sold out by 11am.
Now the training for next August 29th begins for all of them.
By the way, I will be away from August 24th to September 1st next year!
Maybe next year I will be one of those in the line up the day after?
As most of you know I was away from the office for 8 days at the end of August, what you may not know is that I was in Penticton, the site of one of the athletic wonders of the world, the 27th edition of Ironman Canada.
Arriving in town the atmosphere was absolutely electric, the streets were filled with thousands of athletes and there was a feeling of nervous anticipation everywhere. In a few short days would be the culmination of months, for some even years, of training.
This event is an amazing example of “Anything is possible” when it comes to the human spirit.
Set a goal, make the commitment to yourself to do what is necessary to achieve it, take massive action, adapt to and overcome the obstacles that face you along the way, celebrate the ultimate joy of accomplishing what you set out to do!
Swim 3.8 km, Bike 180km, Run 42.2km. In that order, consecutively on the same day!
For those participating (I would say racing or competing but for most the goal is just to finish) there have been countless hours of training at the pool and on the road building the endurance to be able to complete this mammoth task and the speed to ensure they can do it all in under 17hrs. Most of them would have experienced some form of illness or injury along the way but have had the spirit and resilience to carry on and get ready for the big day.
The reality really sets in the afternoon before the race when the athletes check in their bikes and other necessary gear for the race then try to find a way to spend the rest of the day with their feet up “relaxing“ as they await Sunday morning.
Sunday morning starts early as Main Street fills up at 5am with bodies waiting to be marked with their numbers and coated with sunscreen. After one final check of the bike, they all wiggle their way into their wetsuits and make their way to the starting area on the beach.
The start is an amazing spectacle!
There is no courage without first feeling the grip of fear!
Over 2600 wetsuit clad swimmers line up and nervously wait for the horn which signals the 7am start, the largest mass start in triathlon history! It looks like thousands of hungry seals trying to fight for position in a race for their last meal. The huge crowd`s roars soon turn to oohs, aaahs and some nervous tears as friends and loved ones embark on their epic journey. Some describe it as “like being inside a washing machine” where 10,000 limbs bump and kick, churning the water into white foam. As the clock ticks toward the 2 hour and 20 minute time limit to complete the swim leg, hundreds of volunteers `get ready to assist the athletes in their transition from swim to bike. All but 7 who started would make the cut off and be allowed to continue onto the bike course, unfortunately for the first time in the 27 years history of the race an athlete passed away after experiencing difficulties in the swim.
As the swimmers make their way out of the water and rush their way through the transition area, they transform themselves into endurance cyclists setting out to ride 180kms as fast as they can as the cool early morning gives way to the blazing heat of the Okanagan sun. As if the distance and the heat weren`t enough the bike route includes some long steep climbs and the challenging and ever changing Okanagan Valley winds and on this day smoke from the numerous forest fires in the area filled the air.
The Summit of every mountain is reached the same way...one step at a time! (in this case one pedal stroke at a time)
As we drove along the bike course we were witness to numerous flat tires, a few crashes, some mechanical failures and the pain and strain written all over the faces of those who underestimated the difficulty of the route and were just not having a good day. Hundreds of cheering fans and the hordes of volunteers manning the aid stations along the way shout words of encouragement to propel the riders to the finish of the ride.
Nearly 200 would not be able to finish the ride by the 5:30pm time limit or were otherwise not able to continue onto the run course.
The steady stream of riders made their way back into town to lace up their running shoes and run their weary legs out onto the road for the final test of the day. A Marathon!
The crowds gathered along the entire run route to support and encourage and the bleachers and streets near the finish overflowed with excited spectators awaiting the finishers. The first finishers crossed the line while many of the others were still out on the bike course! The overall winner this year, Jordan Rapp, stopped the clock at 8hrs 25minutes and 13 seconds.
After the adventure out on the bike course I hurried back to the finish line for the start of my shift as a Finish line volunteer. This is the best place to experience the essence of this race! Every athlete as they cross the finish line is greeted by a pair of volunteers, also known as “catchers”.
The finish line is an unbelievable cross section of emotions. The first is the absolute elation of finishing this test of human endurance, sometimes punctuated by shouts and pumping fists, sometimes by tears. This is usually followed closely by the reality that the body is FINISHED! Some collapse at the finish line, some lose complete control of their bodily functions (which can be messy) and some need immediate medical attention. There are severely cramped muscles, overheated and dehydrated bodies but most important of all is the incredible pride of accomplishment each of the 2381 finishers share.
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.
I finished my time as a volunteer at 7:54pm when I greeted my wife Deanna at the finish line, she had achieved her goal of finishing in the daylight and shaved over 40 minutes off of her previous personal best at this event. The fear and concern of all of the “what ifs?” of the day gave way to the pride and joy of being in the presence of achievement at a very high level, I am very proud of what she has accomplished! Overcoming a case of the flu and a serious bike crash in the last 6 weeks before the race to come back and finish her 3rd Ironman in style!
We have many friends and acquaintances, and have made many new friends, who participate in this event and others like it. I am proud to know them all and find inspiration in their commitment, their amazing endurance and ability to overcome adversity.
As the clocked ticked toward the end of the day another true inspiration arrived at the finish line, the 79 year old Sister Madonna Buder (a Nun from Spokane) who has finished Ironman an amazing 35 times became the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman event.
The final official finisher crossed the line with a clocking of 16:59:35 just 25seconds before midnight and the final deadline.
Tim Ryan from Sherwood Park, Alberta
YOU are an Ironman!
This is truly an amazing event to witness!
These amazing individuals inspire the belief that you can do anything you set your mind to as long as you are willing to do the work.
The discipline you learn and character you build from setting and achieving a goal can be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself.
The morning after the race thousands lined up to register for next years` event! The 2600 spots available for next year were sold out by 11am.
Now the training for next August 29th begins for all of them.
By the way, I will be away from August 24th to September 1st next year!
Maybe next year I will be one of those in the line up the day after?
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