Yet further insights from the bike (or more parallels between sport and business).

It’s just over a year since I posted more Insights from the bike and eight months have passed since I posted a PB on this same route.

1. Last PB was in June last year and was part of a steady improvement as I got fitter and believed only a matter of time before I achieved the next one however eight months have passed before I could.  Business parallel – expectations need to be tempered with reality.
2. After getting agonisingly close on a few occasions (within 3 sec more than once), I realised I had to do more than just more kilometres which wasn’t producing the result. Business parallel – just doing what worked before might not produce the result you’re after.
3. I engaged the help of a trainer to work on areas that he thought might make a difference.  Business parallel – sometimes our own efforts / knowledge falls just short of what’s required to take that next step (we don’t know what we don’t know).
4. I did specific exercises to build strength in the areas that the trainer promised would deliver and committed to the program.  Business parallel – sometimes a little guidance and consistent effort is required to get the results we want.
5. Initially it was tough but after a couple months I could feel the difference in my strength and endurance.  Business parallel – many things are difficult before they become easy and it’s only through discipline and constant application that we see results.
6. Finally the day arrived that I felt good to have a go, however it was not all smooth sailing.  I was caught at a crossing, had to stop and had to brake hard to avoid a dog both of which ate into my average speed and time.  Both were good enough excuses not to have made the mark but I pushed a little harder because the stats were saying I was still close enough.  Business parallel – no matter how clear the path seems there may be unexpected challenges and it’s up to us to accept these as a reason not to deliver or to take them as additional motivation to try even harder.  It’s just a question of how important your goals are.  As for stats, these are the KPI’s that were covered in the last post referred to above.