Are you a champion with your boat tied to the pier?
Are you a champion with your boat tied to the pier,…or or are you willing to untie the rope and set sail?
I once worked with a pro athlete who was on the verge of stellar success, right in that window where the dream was visible and within reach. Yet this person would frequently say No, find an excuse not to reach outside their comfort zone, not to try something different and new in order to get a step closer to what they identified as their dream goal. You could say the person was rigid, preferred being comfortable with the known, or simply fearful. Whatever your observation, the boat was tied to the pier.
I had another client who was a bank trainer. She was so excited about all the possibilities to excel that she was a joy to coach. Though she had large obstacles in her life, she greeted every day with a big smile. She seemed always to have a new idea, a new inspiration driving her and often had several projects on the table at a time whenever we talked. There was never enough time in the day for this champion so she stretched time to accommodate her needs.
What I loved about this second client was that she kept asking me to raise the bar. When I would suggest a shift in perspective or gave her a tool for success, she always said Yes. She wanted to reach higher every day, polish herself more every chance she got. And she really stood out to her superiors. She was heading straight ahead to manifest the dream she held for herself and for the people she served. She was flexible and willing. It was awe-inspiring to watch the trajectory of her career.
Discomfort comes when we reach beyond our grasp and enter unknown territory on the way to reaching a dream goal. When you think about it, a champion is alone when he stretches out ahead of the pack. Others run behind, some increasing their pace to keep up, some cheering, some wishing him defeat. The champion is alone with their dream and the will to push their limits to make the dream come true. This individual does not mind being uncomfortable because he/she is willing do whatever it takes, raise the bar no matter the discomfort. If you look closely, you will find the champion often smiling.
Are you client number one or client number two? What will you do about it?
