My half-ironman experience

Sorry about the month layoff from social media.  We’ve been adjusting to our new schedule and though we’ll never be fully adjusted (who really is!), we seem to have our arms around the craziness – glad to be back.  So here we go…

A few weeks ago I was able to check off a goal I had set for myself last year – complete a half-ironman in under 6 hours.  It has been a rewarding, challenging, and relentless process.  Here are a few things I learned and experienced along the way (and of course, they can all be tied to your financial future!)

1.  Easy rarely satisfies

I have a tendency to take the path of least resistance.  If you do that your whole life, you will learn very little, experience very little, and grow very little.  Sometimes choose the path with the wall…then climb over it.

2.  Goals worth chasing require discipline

Overnight success is the biggest myth out there.  It doesn’t happen. What might seem like quick success is long-term success, you just missed the beginning of the story.  Financial freedom will come only as a result of discipline – making the small wise choices day after day.  The training plan I followed was 5 months.  One workout didn’t help me achieve the goal…but the slow, incremental changes that resulted after 150 days did.

3.  It always takes a team

I got to cross the finish line…my wife and kids cheered me on.  I can’t even begin to count the sacrifices Amanda made so I could get my training in.  Behind every success there’s a team.  When it comes to creating margin, get your spouse on board, have friends and family that can keep you accountable and offer encouragement.  You can’t do it on your own.

 4.  You will want to quit…but don’t

It’s inevitable.  If you have a worthy goal, things will get difficult.  The last month of training was so challenging.  With the change to our schedule, kids back in school, busy time at work – I was over it.  Then during the race, things got difficult for me between mile 10 and 11 of the run.  I was almost there, but my body was screaming at me to stop.  I lost some time those last 3 miles, but I kept moving forward (albeit, very slowly!)  When it comes to creating margin, you will face your share of setbacks, but you have to keep moving forward.  The finish line will be that much more satisfying.

So…what challenging goal have you set for yourself in the next few months.  No goals…No growth!