Have or Have Not -- Which Gets YOUR Attention?

"The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." -- Vince Lombardi

Question: When left to your own thoughts, do you focus more on what you have or what you don't have? Your answer will determine, and most likely already has determined, at least to some degree, your level of success.

I believe it is much too easy to allow ourselves to focus on what we're missing instead of what we have available -- and as a result, surrender the opportunity to build not only our success, but our character, our endurance, and our legacy. In other words, in spite of a possible appointment with destiny, we look at our present conditions and resources and decide not to show up. On the average, it makes sense -- but since when has greatness and personal best ever been found in the comfortable arms of average?

Sometimes it just takes a little bit of inspiration and a look at those who took what they had and made the most of it. One of my favorite inspirational stories, and one that I often talk about, comes from the life of Olympic Runner, Glenn Cunningham. I first read about him when I was in the fifth grade and his courage and determination have always stuck with me and served as a reminder of what is possible.

At the age of eight, Glenn Cunningham was badly burned when a schoolhouse furnace exploded. His older brother Floyd was killed in the accident. Glenn's legs were burned so badly that his doctors recommended amputation. Seeing his distress, Glenn's parents wouldn't allow it and opted for extensive therapy.

Some two years later and determined to walk again, Glenn discovered that running helped alleviate his pain. “It hurt like thunder to walk, but it didn't hurt at all when I ran", said Cunningham. "So for five or six years, about all I did was run... I didn’t move 10 feet without breaking into a run. I ran and ran and ran.”

Glenn Cunningham ran all the way to the University of Kansas where he set a national record in the collegiate mile. Known as the "Kansas Flyer", Glenn Cunningham also competed in the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympic Games and was even voted "Most Popular Athlete" by his fellow Olympians. He did all this on a damaged pair of legs and a fierce determination to overcome what he didn't have. The fire had weakened his legs, destroyed his transverse arch, and had taken the toes from his left foot. It didn't take his spirit and he never quit.

I believe we can all learn from the example of Glenn Cunningham and faithfully apply his sage advice: “If you stay in the running,” if you have endurance, you are bound to win over those who haven’t.” I believe Vince Lombardi would agree that Glenn Cunningham did all he could with what he had -- and didn't have.

Let's not look at what we're missing, let's look at what we're made of, and more specifically what we have, right now, to start putting it all together. Step out with faith and with courage. There's no telling where your race might take you.

About the Author: Terry Crouson is the Owner and Head Coach at Silver Coach Solutions, LLC and is currently doing business as The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit. He is dedicated to helping business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and self-employed professionals find their way by finding their why. He is a highly respected business coach, speaker, facilitator, and community builder. Terry is certified in the Strategic Mindset Process, and is also a DISC Certified Behavioral Consultant.

Turning Our I's Toward Success

"Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” -- Wayne Huizenga

I wonder if there is any word used more often in business and occupational circles than the word, "success". Although its meaning, interpretation, and even its application can be endlessly debated, it is widely understood to be something of great value and worthy of our effort and pursuit. The operative word here is pursuit.

As the above quote indicates, success is not likely to come without a concerted effort to "make it happen". However, as most of us can attest, making it happen is a whole lot easier said than done. When we think of all the stops and starts, as well as, the speed bumps and roadblocks we've endured on the road to success, we can confidently say that success does not easily yield its best fruit. We can also say that hard work alone is probably not enough to hit its highest heights. We need the right attitude, the right strategy, the right people, and more often than not, the right example to follow.

Looking at the success of others and the pathways they've taken can help bring our own success aspirations into perspective if we'll take the time to open our "I's" -- Innovation, Integration, and Imitation. Here's a few example of how others have done that very thing:

Success through Innovation: It's hard to believe it's been 50 years since the release of The Beatles' landmark album "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." I happened to catch a portion of the new program, Sgt. Pepper's Musical Revolution on public television and was captivated by the level of innovation used during the time of its recording. Innovations that continue to influence recordings even today. From its concept to its instrumentation, to its change in recording techniques, Sergeant Pepper was totally different and would forever define The Beatles as musical innovators and propel them to even greater levels of success. Being first has its advantages.

Success through Integration: Sometimes the best way to success is through the integration of processes or in the case of the IPhone, devices. When Steve Jobs stepped on to the platform at MacWorld in 2007, our world was about to change. What he showed us was a mobile phone with the ability to communicate with the internet, and maybe even listen to a little music. After three years of work, three separate functions, on three separate devices, were now combined into one handheld device -- and everybody wanted one. They still do. Today, the smartphone is probably considered our most important business and personal communication tool -- and it is hard to imagine functioning without it. What important integrations are still possible?

Success through Imitation: According to a 2010 article in Harvard Business Review, "imitation is underappreciated" and has been used by some of today's most successful companies and organizations. Although there can be a certain stigma associated with imitation, there is a case that can be made for its success. According to Oded Shenkar, "copying others’ ideas is good business. Sometimes it’s great business. And it happens more often than people think." From the smartphone to the success of Walmart and McDonalds, imitation has played a major role in advancing ideas and refining products and processes. It may not only be the sincerest form of flattery, it may also be a great strategy for success.

While there are many paths and methodologies to follow in pursuit of our individual and corporate success, it may be time well spent to turn our I's toward the key areas of innovation, integration, and imitation -- and how they can be used in the development of our goals, objectives, plans, and strategies.

I wish you great success!

About the Author: Terry Crouson is the Owner and Head Coach at Silver Coach Solutions, LLC and is currently doing business as The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit. He is dedicated to helping business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and self-employed professionals find their way by finding their why. He is a highly respected business coach, speaker, facilitator, and community builder. Terry is certified in the Strategic Mindset Process, and is also a DISC Certified Behavioral Consultant.  

On Your Mark, Get Set... Run!

"It is never wise to run any race but your own." -- Tim Fargo

On July 20, 1996, I ran my very first road race. It was an 8K (4.97 miles), and at 41 years old, I covered the distance in 48:30. At the time I can remember being pleased with the fact I had finished the race, but I was pretty disappointed in the time it took me to do it. I had set a goal to run 8 minute miles and ended up averaging 9:45 instead. Looking back, I can see it was probably an unreasonable goal for an overweight, mostly non-athletic couch potato on the other side of 40.

In fact, it was while I was lying on the couch one Sunday afternoon that I spotted an article about an upcoming road race and a local premier runner who was promoting it. "One of these days", I thought to myself, "I'm going to do something like this." Content in my total non-commitment, I turned the page to finish the article -- and there it was -- a 9 week training schedule.

Still not convinced that this was for me, I looked at the schedule for the first week. It started with a quarter mile run. I knew I couldn't do much, but I did believe I could manage to run at least that far. It also started that very day. In a moment of inspiration, I got off the couch, I cut out the schedule, I laced up my shoes, and headed out the door. Nine weeks later, on what seemed like the hottest night of the summer, I joined hundreds of other runners for the 1996 Road Runner Classic, in Northville, MI. Some 50 minutes later, I knew that a momentary decision, made while relaxing on the couch, would change my life.

Over the next few years, there would be many other races at distances ranging from one mile to 10K. Predictably, my average mile times dropped progressively lower, and I eventually found myself very close to that 8 minute goal. Turns out it wasn't an unreasonable goal, just an unrealistic expectation of what I was capable of doing without logging a whole lot of miles and dealing with the inevitable pains of pushing myself forward. Reality, and no small dose of humility, had a way of reshaping my thinking.

Fast forward almost 21 years. At 62 years old and carrying an additional 40 or more pounds, reality was about to crash through my expectations, once again. Although I had participated in a few races over the last couple years, I had mostly resigned myself to walking and didn't seriously train for the events. My former days of running were now long past and up until this particular race; I hadn't really challenged myself during the training periods. It showed up in my results. This time however, I would train faithfully and in my mind recapture some of my former speed and endurance. It didn't happen.

After 9 weeks of training (27 workouts) and 64 logged miles, I had managed to run one continuous mile exactly one time -- and it wasn't very fast. Plagued by sore muscles, aching joints, labored breathing, and zero weight loss, training was an absolute chore. Yet last Saturday, June 3, 2017, I lined up with my wife, a group from my church, and several members of the community for the Great Bacon 5K Run. I'd love to tell you that I had the race of my life, but the reality is I felt like I was just trying to hold on to it.

Alternating with periods of running and walking we managed to cross the line at 42:46 at an average 13:47 per mile. I had truly given it everything I had. When I could breathe again, I turned to my wife and said "I just ran my last race. I just don't have it anymore." At that moment, I was done. The frustration over past accomplishment and the reality of the present result sat hard on me -- as evidenced in the above photo. Suddenly, it seemed like the years, the minor medical issues, and a traitorous respiratory system had conspired against me. Then something interesting happened.

I noticed that the winner of my age group was also 62 years old and had come in at 24:57 an average 8:03 per mile. I also noticed that the man who finished just behind me was 79 years old. The difference was 3 seconds! Suddenly it wasn't about age after all, but rather about individual ability, mindset -- and perhaps just a bit about lifestyle choices. I don't know the history of either one of these gentleman and it really doesn't make a difference. What matters is that I learned some important things through the experience.

First of all, I learned that at my age, I am probably still capable of significant improvement. I may never see 8 minute miles, but I know someone my age is doing it -- and that is inspiring to me. Secondly, I've learned that I still have some races left in me and I certainly hope someday I'll be that 79 year old nipping at the heels of a 62 year old youngster on the verge of quitting.

I learned that it wasn't the time that mattered -- it was showing up at the starting line and fighting through to the finish line. I learned it wasn't about the quality of the training -- it was about the effort and the consistency in completing each day. Perhaps, most of all, I learned that I am blessed to be able to stand up on these two feet every day and try again -- no matter the result.

So this morning, with great thankfulness, I stepped out onto the road and I started to run some, walk some, and then run some more. There is another race coming up in a few weeks and I want to see if I can improve, just a little.

That's the interesting thing about life, about business, and about opportunity. There's always another race coming up. The question is: Will we be at the starting line? See you there!

Photo Credit: Great Bacon Run Staff

About the Author: Terry Crouson is the Owner and Head Coach at Silver Coach Solutions, LLC and is currently doing business as The Growth Coach of West Metro Detroit. He is dedicated to helping business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and self-employed professionals find their way by finding their why. He is a highly respected business coach, speaker, facilitator, and community builder. Terry is certified in the Strategic Mindset Process, and is also a DISC Certified Behavioral Consultant.