Extreme Leadership and the TT Races

In April I saw the film TT 3D Closer to the Edge and thought it was brilliant. My partner Andrew has just returned from pitting himself against the TT course, back in 1 piece I’m pleased to say. And we’re gripped by the TT Races and every night tune in for all the latest and discuss – OK I’m an arm chair expert in some aspects. However I’ve been watching the top guy’s like John McGuinness, Bruce Anstey and of course the charmer Guy Martin. How they prepare for the race and how they recover from setbacks.

The TT race is an opportunity for man and machine to conquer the toughest environment, which shows no mercy. Keith Amor came off his bike in the wet the other day, and managed to hang on to the bike long enough not to be flung in to a wall, instead he spun on his back down the road. Last year Conor Cummins came off over the mountain part of the track and bounced like a rag doll down the hill. Amongst his injuries he broke his back in several places – and is back this year to race. Not every one is so lucky and every year riders die doing what they love. They are passionate about what they’re doing, they know the risk and the thrill you get from successfully testing yourself in such extreme circumstances is the prize.

So what have I noticed amongst the best:-

Focus, clarity, determination, passion – They know what they want and why, they also live and breath their sport.

Commitment – this isn’t just to the sport, this is commitment when on the track, every corner is taken on the edge. They know they’re not going to win if they are tentative, or back off half way through. Commit to the corner and if it doesn’t work out, learn from it. Make a decision, follow it through.

Sacrifice – some of the guys there are part funding themselves. And some of those winning now started off part funding themselves.

Faith, self belief, confidence, skill & experience, as well as the ability to take feedback and respond quickly. The bike is always talking to them about the road, it’s their ability to listen and respond that let’s them lead the field. The minute they start ignoring it and thinking they know best, or are invincible, yes you can see where I’m going with this.

Teamwork – races can be won or lost on the pit stops, and of course in setting the bike up in the first place, or repairing it in time for the next race.

Resilience – Both Guy Martin and Connor Cummins had serious injuries from their crashes last year. They’re both back this year. That say’s a lot about their bodies, as well as their minds. I don’t know that I could get back on a bike and go full out again, then again that’s due to racing not being my ‘passion’. Business and specifically leadership are, and I’ve lost count of the knocks and set backs and I just dust myself down, learn from it and get back in the game.

Preparation – they’re all out there beforehand, reacquainting themselves with the course, fine tuning the bikes, and their self talk is positive.

Razor’s edge – the difference between 1st and 2nd place, can be point something of a second. Yet it’s only the winners that get remembered, and talked about.

The leaders in the TT all demonstrate the above. The followers are working on being able to do the above.

Steve McQueen once said “Racing is life – anything before or after is just waiting”. Well I’d change it to “Leadership is life – anything before or after is just faffing about.”

Great leaders in business also demonstrate the above qualities, taking up the challenge of conquering todays tough business environment. One that is also unforgiving, poor leadership can easily take a business under.

The question to ask yourself is – “are you playing to win, or playing not to lose?”

 

How to set goals and achieve them

Every year millions of us set goals in January, our personal ones tend to lapse before February and we are left working on the corporate ones (and these aren’t always set for success either). Right now many businesses are planning for growth and currently reviewing employee performance and setting targets. A lot of those won’t make it, what if this year was different for you, both personally and professionally? 

Join me on the 20th when I’ll share with you….

• The number 1 mistake people make that stops them from getting their goal.
• The 2 simple things you can do which will dramatically increase your success ratio.
• I’ll talk about the key steps you need to take to in order to shift up a gear.
• Plus I’ll introduce you to the Goal Success Formula – a simple, affordable way to set and achieve goals.  It’s the distillation of more than 10 years of experience, study, trial and error and ascertaining what really works, not just for me, but for my clients.  It’s also intensely practical.  There’s no long waffle and vague concepts that leave you working out what to do next.  It’s just pure meat and practical steps to applying the meat.

This will be an interactive webinar, you can ask me questions beforehand and during - if you’ve never joined one they’re easy, you just need your computer and the internet.        

You can get all the details at http://www.bluepeapod.com/howtosetgoalswebinar

Goal Setting and Goal Achievement – Top Tips

Goal setting can be overwhelming or just plain boring.  Here’s one of the indulgent things I do between Christmas and New year and since I’ve done it I swear it makes a difference.

There are however more things I do during December and January.  They’re simple, practical and also contribute to my success.  3 of which I’ve put into a complimentary ebook for you.  Well OK ebook might imply vast swathes of reading, think more ebooklet.  To get your complimentary copy right now just fill in your details below.   We’ll also sign you up to our monthly ezine so you get the next installment I’ll share with my clients in January.

Once you’ve signed up check your inbox (or spam folder) for a subscription confirmation message, say yes and the ebooklet should be with you in the next few minutes.

Merry Christmas and of course an abundant and prosperous 2010.

Got 6 minutes to increase your success?

Over the years I’ve worked with and used many of Bob Proctor’s products, both for myself and with my clients.  He’s just launched a new product, which takes 6 minutes of your time, Monday – Friday.  Within this time he’ll help you on your way to achieving your goals and increasing your success.  I’m loving how he’s making his material so accessible.  All the information you need is here . 

Think of it as breakfast for the mind.  Allow yourself 6 minutes at the beginning of your day and notice what a shift it makes in the results you get.