Changing the End of the Story

Sometimes even when armed with maximizing our strengths and making every effort to create a positive outcome, we experience the same bad result. It is not uncommon to see similar patterns occurring. What causes this? While we may feel that it's just bad luck, that's rarely the case. We often suffer through repeating failures because we have not changed the way we approach the task. Output results from input. A flawed approach means a flawed result.

Here is an example to illustrate. I'm a runner and have been for 30+ years. I have retired from racing (got tired of the "20 somethings" making me look bad), but training was everything. How well I prepared determined how I finished. Since I was competitive in my age group, I knew the runners. The first example was. in a 10K race near Chicago. I was in fourth place as we approached the last half-mile, running just behind #3. I wanted to beat him because 3rd place earned a trophy, and 4th did not. #2 was almost 100 yards ahead. I remember sayinig to #3, "let's go get #2" I really had no intention of getting to #2, but knew I was fit, and thought I could discourage #3 if I sprinted and he felt he couldn't keep up. I made the move and #3 did not come with me. When I got 30 yards ahead, I stopped the sprint, but it was too late for him to catch me. I was only able to make the move because I had trained and prepared so well.

An example of a bad outcome was in the New York Marathon as we approached Central Park. I had overtrained and actually had injured my left leg, but didn't know it yet. I remember deciding to surge, then pushing, but nothing happened. My "tank" was empty because I did not fill it properly before the race. Flawed preparation, even with the best of intentions means failure.

And so it is in business. If we prepare with a lack of discipline, or even if we make a concerted effort with outdated technology or methods, we will struggle. When we watch a favorite movie, no matter how many times, the ending is always the same. When we don't embrace change, are complacent, or just go through the motions, we cannot expect anything but disappointment. It involves having the discipline to change what we're naturally inclined to do to change how the story ends.

Do you approach challenges the same way each time? Do you have the courage to change?