John Valenti -
General
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 4:59:02 PM
I just couldn’t sleep last night, so I was up from about 5:00 this morning.
I decided to run the Philadelphia Art Museum Steps and watch the sunrise. I haven’t done this since October, and wow was it cold.
And, it was me, about two other runners, and a man in a wheelchair. So, we all kind of at least acknowledge one another, because we are the only crazies out there at 6:30. And, as I pass the gentleman that I eventually came to know as “Robert”, I just jokingly asked if he wanted to race. Well, you can probably guess where this goes from here. He said “yes”, and that he would race the first flight of steps.
So, I feel pretty good about this…because I am fast. We line up, slap hands, and I am half worried that I stay close to him and help if he needs help. So, we agree to go on his “go”. And, of course, before his “Go!”, he starts his arms in motion, and what he does is turn the wheelchair around backwards, put one arm on the wall, one on the ground, and work his way up the first flight about as quickly as possible. Now, I managed to beat him, even with the head start he took…and, while the win felt good for the moment, the lesson I took away will stick with me forever.
This man drives arguably the worst set of wheels for driving up steps. Furthermore, he had to race what must have been to him a very intimidating gazelle in Nike’s lined up next to him. Yet, he surveyed the landscape, and made adjustment without hesitation that allowed him to keep moving forward….quickly, let me tell you. This man does not have time to allow fear to enter his mind, he has seen no obstacle that he cannot overcome, he doesn’t have time or perceive a value in complaining, he was absolutely not going to let the game be brought to him, he was going to bring the game to me.
And, therein lies the lesson. Our landscape is changing every single solitary day. But, if there weren’t a way to overcome adversity, none of us would be around today to enjoy overcoming it. We have to adapt quickly, and then execute strategy with overwhelming and relentless force. And, if we do, we will get to the place that we want to go, regardless of external forces. There is always a way to make it to the top of the steps…always. Lot’s of people aren’t going to have the will or the want to make it up the steps, and that is great news for those of us who will.
Take 5 minutes today, think about your goal, think about the route you have chosen, and be certain this is the best route. Adapt and improvise as necessary along the way, but never hesitate and never stop pushing forward. Smash through each step with violent force, close relentlessly at every step, and enjoy the journey…for the effort you put in today will pay dividends for years to come, in so many ways.
So we get to the top of the first flight, we slap hands and what do you think Robert says without hesitation…”best two out of three?” Boy, I have never felt so lucky to have had a sleepless night.
Sell hard today!
JV