Mountain biking is probably my favorite recreational activity. A nice two hour XC ride on some twisty fast single track is really hard to beat in my book. Getting out into nature, checking out the wildlife, getting big lung-fulls of fresh clean air are music for my soul.
Once in a while however, I like to head over to one of the more technically challenging parks and put myself to the test on some really difficult gnarly terrain. Terrain where the penalties for a mistake can be high.
When doing this kind of (some would say silly) activity, I've been struck again and again over the years about one aspect that has a direct parallel in everyday life.
What I mean is, there have been many times I've been at my limit physically on a steep climb, or some other challenging obstacle, and find myself about to fail "again" at the same point of a trail where I've previously run out of stamina or skill or whatever it might be.
And I'll feel the habitual pattern start to kick in where my mind says "ok, just put your foot down and walk up the rest of the hill -- this is too hard for you".
Now, a lot of times I'll go with that, and take the easy way out. Those are not however, moments I'll cherish or remember. Nor should they be.
Sometimes, however, my mind will rebel against this "easy way out" pattern -- and I'll be overcome with conviction -- almost to the point of anger -- and I'll give the pedals "one more crank". And then another. And another beyond that.
And so many times when I do that -- one more crank -- it is absolutely amazing how that was all the impetus I needed to tip the scales in my favor and be able to complete the trail or obstacle. E.g., that one little point on the trail, which I'd conditioned myself mentally and physically to believe was "just too tough", turned out to be able to be beaten with just a little bit more conviction....and one more crank of the pedals.
And this same exact principle plays out in daily life all the time. Whether it be a business scenario or whatever the case may be, these kind of situations will appear at regular intervals and present us with a fork in the road. To the right is "I'm going to stay where I am" street, and to the left is "I'm going to push myself to new levels" road. And it's not paved, and there's hardly anybody on it.
Which way do you usually head when you hit the crossroads?
