Fitness is a Personal Race

On the way to the airport today I passed a truck. On the side was the tagline "Fitness is a Personal Race". I wish I had seen the name of the company, but it was brilliant.

On the whole fitness level - isn't is all about getting better each day? Aren't you only racing against yourself?

I immediately re-focused to business. Oftentimes, I'm asked to comment on what others are doing - how are we responding to external threats and competition? I answer as authentically as I can always, and it sounds something like this...

Our focus needs to be on making ourselves better. Setting the bar higher each and every day to innovate, serve and differentiate. How can we possibly worry about what other are doing?

You see, I believe that business is a personal race - and if you push yourselves each day it really doesn't matter what others are doing - in the end, you win.

P.S. If you hold the trademark on Fitness is a Personal Race...I'd love to give you credit here...

Be Extraordinary

Carpe Diem - Seize the Day - Make Your Life Extraordinary

Those who have seen Dead Poets Society read the lines above differently than those who have not.

However you read them, their message is the same. Make your lives (or life) extraordinary.

What have you done recently to stand out?

How has saying yes or no put you in jeopardy or made you vulnerable/special?

What makes you so extraordinary that others should pay attention?

I have a son who is truly exceptional and I'm glad he is the way he is and I'm sorry that I did not recognize it earlier. I will not make excuses for him or ignore his contribution. I can say now that he doesn't fit in with the prescribed formula of cool kids and the "in" crowd. My mistake has been in trying to make him appear that he should.

I am committed to him as he is - awesome - why would I ever expect anything less? Why should you?

Worry, Worry, Worry No More

Taking a look at the news is a pretty daunting thing. Economy, terrorism, flooding, famine, etc. etc. It's bleak. Many folks feel one step from the edge and many are. Businesses are shutting down, entire downtowns have been decimated. What to do? I mean really, what can you do?

You can do the following:

1. Choose to control your destiny.
2. Control the way you respond to situations as they arise.
3. Create your own reality by pushing forward
4. Embrace the challenge

Whatever you do, don't just sit there and worry. Don't just resign to let life happen to you. Life rewards action.

Three-Legged Entrepreneur Stool

I had coffee one day last week with a friend who has been in the technology start up and education fields for several years. He has owned a company that was sold off and now spends his time creating technology leaders as a college professor. The question came up - what does it take to succeed as an entrepreneur?

Three things (not counting luck).

1. Communication

Entrepreneurs must be able to communicate their vision, their value proposition, and their opportunity to others. They must be persuasive and speak with clarity and confidence. Others must be inspired.

2. Competence

If all it is is an idea and you have no knowledge about how to execute it will fail. You must possess the background knowledge and associated problem solving skills in order to create a workable product or solution.

3. Motivation

You must be relentless in your pursuit. Motivated not only to do the big things necessary to succeed, but also motivated to mind the not-so-fun details. You must embrace the challenge and the opportunity every day and inspire you team the same way.

I'm sure there are twists on each of these, and success is not a guarantee, but if you are hitting all three of these consistently, your chances have improved dramatically.