Combining three disciplines in one race is a significant challenge for many, regardless of the distance. We, as business people, enjoy challenges because they push us out of our comfort zone and help us grow. Triathlon is versatile and demanding, which is why it beautifully reflects both business and life.
First of all, I must confess that I am not one of those triathletes who participate in Ironman races (by the way, isn’t Ironman, as the name suggests, for men? ;)).
I train in triathlon because I derive incredible benefits from it in various areas of my life. One could say that triathlon is an additional driving force in my life and business. What connects triathlon and business?
Motivation
Every time I purchase a race package for a triathlon, I know exactly why I’m doing it. Many aspects motivate me: spending active and enjoyable time with my family (we often participate together), taking care of my physical fitness and vitality, and having a goal that makes training easier. Like most people, I have moments of doubt at times. It is precisely in those moments that motivation is crucial – the awareness of why I’m doing something and what purpose it serves.
Each of us is motivated by different values. I know people who are satisfied with a plan because they love accomplishing specific tasks. There are also individuals motivated by the vision of success, as they value recognition or social status. I also know people who need to pursue their goals in the company of others because it energizes them.
The same principles apply to work and life. If I know what matters to me and why I want to achieve it, I will persistently strive for it.
Engaged Juggling
Rarely do we focus on just one thing in life. For me, family, work, health, and personal growth have always been essential. I juggled these balls in a way that kept them all in the air. It required awareness of why I was doing it and unwavering physical and mental commitment. By engaging myself, I could expect the balls to keep spinning in the air, and I would become better at juggling them.
Preparing for a triathlon requires more than occasional running. You also need to swim regularly, ride a bike, and learn what to do in the transition zone. There’s quite a lot to it. It used to seem overwhelming, but practice makes perfect. In triathlon and in life.
Goal and Consistency
If you want to complete a triathlon, you set a goal for yourself. The goal may be simply finishing the race without stopping, or it can be more ambitious, such as achieving a specific time or even standing on the podium. Regardless of the exact nature of the goal, you need a training plan (sometimes also a nutrition plan) and you must consistently stick to it.
Of course, there are people who participate in triathlons without preparation. However, in most cases, those are either one-time events (e.g., a bet with friends) or they eventually result in injuries, not to mention poor results.
It’s like wanting to write a book in a week. I might be able to write some kind of book, but what will its quality be?
Flexibility
Clinging to a plan regardless of changing external conditions is not advisable in triathlon, business, or life.
If my child is sick for a week and I’m grounded at home, I look for solutions to adapt my training plan to the new circumstances. Maybe I’ll have to skip a few sessions, perhaps I can do some of the training indoors instead of outdoors, or maybe someone else can take care of my child while I train.
The same happens in a business project. You have a goal, you have a plan, but along the way, conditions may change. They almost always do! In such situations, you adapt your plan agilely to the new circumstances.
Mindset
In my over 7 years of experience in triathlon, I have experienced wonderful emotions: joy, euphoria, inner strength, a sense of belonging. There have also been challenging moments during preparations and the race itself: doubt, helplessness, reluctance, physical weakness, or injury.
Now I know for sure that my mind has much greater power than my body. My mind is in control of everything. If I guide it properly, I can overcome anything – from physical injuries to doubts.
Having a growth mindset (as opposed to a fixed mindset) also helps me extract lessons from any failures. If you’re interested in this topic, I recommend the iconic book by Carol Dweck, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.”
And perhaps, this is the most important lesson that triathlon teaches, one that I can directly transfer to my personal and professional life.
If you practice triathlon, I’m curious if you see commonalities with what you do in business. And if you don’t train in triathlon, maybe you feel like giving it a try?
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