Leadership from a different perspective – Sadie Gordon

Naked Leader Week – 210 (w/c Monday 11 June 2007)

My half-marathon vision…

 A few months ago I made a life-changing decision – to run a half marathon. Ok, so not necessarily a big deal for those fit people out there. But for me, a severe asthmatic with poor joints and zero level of fitness, it was pretty major and life-changing. I could barely run 13 yards let alone 13 miles (and that’s literally true).

So I had made this big choice in my life and upon telling all of my friends, family and colleagues, I expected almost all of them to say “you’re mad!” and while a few did, I was amazed at just how supportive and encouraging the majority were. With the support from those around you, the power that gives you, you can achieve anything you want to. I can and I will run 13 miles, because I want to, I am determined to and I have the power within myself to. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” — Tommy Lasorda

But what about actually making it happen? Where on earth would I begin? And how on earth would I find the motivation to stick with it?

Vision. I set myself a vision of what I want to achieve. I want to run 13 miles. I visualise myself on the day of the event, at the start, during the race and most importantly, crossing the finish line. My vision is the promise of what I shall one day be.

Purpose. By having a purpose – not just to run 13 miles, but a reason to achieve my goal. I signed up to raise money for charity. The feeling of doing something so worthwhile for so many less fortunate than me is a very liberating experience. The overwhelming power of knowing what I want to achieve gives me a huge advantage over those that lack purpose.

Positivity. Every evening I’m due to go out running, I have so many negative thoughts and I dread it. I dread the fatigue. I dread having to put in so much effort. I dread the pain. So how do I get positive about running? Before I go out I allow myself to dwell on encouraging events in my life. Times when I felt strong, unstoppable and fulfilled. I remember how it felt. The more I think of positive and powerful events from my life, the easier I find composure, strength and positivity. Do it yourself, it really does work.

Focus. This is very important if I want to achieve my goal. I visualise my journey towards my goal and set myself milestones and markers, mental as well as physical. If I feel myself straying from my objective, I concentrate on the milestones I have set myself.  As I pass each one, I consciously use it as a reminder to focus on my goal, my vision. By way of affirmation, I consciously say to myself `I am at point X in my journey and am being steadily pulled towards the finish’. Whatever your mind focuses on, it will achieve. Remind yourself of the vision you created of what you want to achieve and bring that vision into the forefront of your mind as a way of focusing on your goal.

If you want success, decide upon your goal, create a vision, plan for success, expect success and take action today. Don’t dwell on what you tried and failed in, but what it is still possible for you to achieve. I am!

Three of my favourite quotes:

“The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible.” — Richard M DeVos
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”

— Earl Nightingale

And finally, my favourite…

“Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions:  could have, might have and should have.” — Louis E. Boone

Thank you Sadie

So, what are you, personally going to do now?

1. Nothing – your choice
2. Share it with a friend who needs some inspiration and belief? – your choice
3. Make a true decision about something and take that first action – your choice

With best wishes to Sadie for her run and with love to you all

David

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