What if it did all work out?

Recently I decided to compete in a Vintage Steel Cycling event in beautiful Noosa. I took my newly purchased and polished 1987 Olmo Bicycle to Noosa with high hopes of some fun riding in the sun away from freezing Melbourne. The event was to be run in classic style with a great deal of the riding on gravel roads. On my first day riding all was going well until we hit the dirt and specifically the gravel hills. Then reality set in. As I gave a mighty push to scale the hill the bike jumped out of gear, I spun furiously and I jumped off the bike onto the gravel. Several hills later and still no success. The ride was becoming a disaster. The weekend was becoming a write off. Now thinking about wasted money on an old bike, the heart ruling the head on buying it in the first place, I then turned my thoughts to whether I could get an earlier flight back to Melbourne. Not a single positive thought. Then I thought about what I tell my audiences. Thoughts lead to Behaviours which lead to Action which lead to Results.

So I thought, well, what if it did work out ok? I had no reason to know why it would, I just decided that positive thinking was more fun than negative thinking. So I ground away until I reached the flat and then at last the bitumen road. The Olmo relished the new black top road and I sped past a fellow rider. As we pulled to a stop at a gathering point the rider I had just passed came up to me and said "what a great bike, I use to race these". I said well its not so great today and I don't think I can safely ride tomorrow in the long ride. "Why so he enquired" so I let him know about the gear issue. With that he said "oh they always do that, have you tightened the gear lever thats usually the issue" and with that he leant forward and and tightened my gear selector adjuster which was about to fall out. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know and sometimes you don't know when the teacher will appear. Back on the gravel and up the hills the Olmo performed like a new bike. It was even better in the long ride the next day and we (The bike and I are best friends now!) even finished with the top group.

There are so many parallel's I find in this example to our business lives in these times of disruption and change that I often hear people pushing and resisting change when in fact the change might be just what they need. So next time you are in a bind, worried about an outcome , things seem to be against you or you feel helpless, remember to think, "What if it did work out ok". My friend motivational speaker and the first female Top Gun Fighter Pilot Carey Lohrenz, told me this, "Positive Thinking does not guarantee success but negative thinking will prevent your ability to adapt". So consider this: Change your Thoughts, Shift your Behaviour, Take some Action and Expect a Better Result.

Onward and upward.

 

Comments

[Clyde Colson]

Good read Rob.....

And truly fits my attitude to challenges!!

I am very sure it would work for you as I have always found you to have a positive approach to life.

Not giving up sailing for cycling I hope!

[Sasha Vasiljkovic]

Rob excellent article. Having a positive attitude is critical to both a meaningful life in both business and more importantly in your personal life. It sets a great example for your children, family, work colleagues and business associates. Glass half full and opportunity always exists.

[Ian Pratt]

Great story Rob. I need to force myself and my staff to think that way more often.

[Rob Hartnett]

Thanks Ian - we all have to from time to time.

[Rob Hartnett]

Thanks for reading Sasha. Hope HK is still treating you well.

[Rob Hartnett]

Great to hear from you Clyde. I bet the America's Cup was a fantastic experience for you.

[Libby Maynard]

Thanks Rob. So easy to slip into negativity and self doubt when things don't go as planned. I like the links between thoughts, behaviors, actions and results and the ability to adapt. I'll get on and deal with today's curved ball. Good to see the riding is going well.

[Rob]

Appreciate your comments Libby.