So, I’m basking in the “destination” of a Superbowl victory for the Denver Broncos. It is so cool. My wife Colleen moved to Denver about 6 years ago, and she has become a die-hard Bronco fan. She is originally from New England, and her family and siblings, of course, love Tom Brady and the gang (should I emphasize gang). For her to make a commitment to me in marriage, and one only slightly stronger, to the Broncos, is definitely unconditional love and commitment; especially in the unmerciful ribbing she gets from the Bostonians!

The talk shows in Denver have already dissected the game and now are moving on to next year… WHAT?! My anxiety is already building. How can we re-sign this great defense and build an offense for next year? How can we slog through the next season and win again, with all those highs and lows? How can we create a Bronco dynasty that wins all of the future Superbowls? Argh! I already have to let this go…

Of course, this is a highly visible metaphor for me on living in the moment or (more cliche), live in the journey.

There is a great book called “Mastery: The Keys to Success and Fulfillment” which is essentially a discussion of the truth that life exists in the journey (or present). As I think through that, I can really revel in relaxing into a Sunday afternoon with my wife and friends, experiencing that time together regardless of outcomes; and make watching football something so much more than just the outcome. It is similarly like raising our kids. When I’m in that frame of mind, I just love the “moments” that I get with them, even as they become less often; as they are moving on with their path.

In business, I can treat the goals that I have created in my strategic plan to accomplish as waypoints that may be revealed as on (or off) path. When I experience wins, I can feel joy but not comfort or stagnation. When I experience misses, I can look toward pivots and reflection as I evaluate “what I am doing.” But regardless, each helps me toward mastery of my life. And then I die, which I guess is the actual destination I face; and I’m good with that.

On Path – Pierre

I Love Crossfit.   Yes, I have gone hook-line-sinker into it.   Frankly, it has changed my life, my strength, my mobility, my diet, and my overall fitness level.    AND yes, I understand and have experienced the  false, inaccurate, and incomplete limitations of this cultish, fadish, over-hyped fitness program…

But I still LOVE it.   My body yearns for it (about 3 mornings of 4).   I don’t set an alarm, and my body says it is time to get up and move every morning around 5:30.

So, why am I touting my love affair with this sport, uhhhh, gym class, uhhhh, Seal sponsored/military created, uhhhh, biggest loser, Rebock supported, lastest fitness trend, (yup, I am just a main-stream fad robot) workout program  on my leadership blog.

Because it is a metaphor for life and most assuredly leadership.

Life is tough.   Leadership is tough.   Crossfit is tough.

When I arrive at the gym, I never know what the workout (WOD – workout of the day) is going to be, and then I look up on the board to see it and it ALWAYS sucks  undoable.   My initial thoughts are “How can I get out of this? How can I cheat to make it easier (New England Patriot’s style)?  Why am I here?  and most often heard, it is NOT fair!  (teenage answer of choice)

And yet, I do it.   Sometimes I do it well, and sometimes I slog through it.   But, I invariably do it.   I leave the sweat and doubt on the floor and walk away with an immense sense of accomplishment and pride.

So, isn’t that leadership.   We walk into our “organization” and constantly face challenges that we’d rather avoid than confront.   Leadership is surely attacking that which isn’t working and realigning what we are doing with what we should be doing.    Then, when it is done, we feel an immense sense of accomplishment and pride.    Is there anything more meaningful than realigning actions with purpose?

In metaphor in our own lives, we are either living or dying every minute.   Living comes from growth and that comes from leaning into discomfort and facing that which is blocking, limiting, or preventing us from our true integrity.    Dying comes from stagnation and atrophy which is avoiding the truth of who we are…

Crossfit forces me to face discomfort and face my truth.

Every morning it says to me “Good Morning, Get-up, Fight for your Truth, and move toward the Rest of Your Life!”

Blessings

https://getversus.com/certification-program/?mc_cid=2128b185d4&mc_eid=0fb8dbaf55

I’ve been blessed to be an early stage investor in Sense Labs.   It is a brain training company that helps put performers (athletes for the time being) into the “flow” while in peak performance.   I referenced this in a previous post called “Dis-Ease” where I noted that my brain scan showed a poor ability to relax while at performing, which limited my endurance to stay in the “flow” for long periods of time.    I can remember returning from various sorties in the F-15, mentally drained.   Or, during pilot training, having my brain seize  with soda-straw Situational Awareness, eliminating my ability to process anything outside my direct view.    I can only imagine if I had a tool like this to prepare my mental fortitude to remain focused and relaxed during those times I needed to be at my absolute best.

My hope is to get this technology to our US Air Force fighter community.   Yea, I’m glad our Olympic athletes can optimize performance, but a better use is to keep our engaged soldiers in the flow!

Next week, I will receive my beta-version of the device.    I plan on logging my sleep levels, performance focus, emotional steadiness and see how it goes for me.  I’ll keep you informed.

If you are interested in learning more, contact me or go to their website at GetVersus.

There have been over 1000 athletes tested, of whom I cannot reveal on this blog.   But, there was a reason Seattle dominated Denver in the Super Bowl…

Blessings – Pierre