Actual Achievement Part 1

Sport is an excellent medium in which to explore the mechanics of achievement. My own background is in Whitewater Canoe Slalom, which requires power and technique in a constantly changing environment. How is this for a fitting metaphor for today's business environment and life altogether? You need resources (power), like money, people or things and use them in skillful ways (technique) to adapt, grow and thrive in an ever changing and unfolding environment.

You may know exactly what you want (e.g.: Gold Medal), even have a detailed and well researched plan or process to get there and you will still encounter those factors that are not under your control, factors you haven't accounted for.

Even if we were to collect all the experiences ever made in pursuit of this particular goal and were able to devise a plan taking all these experiences into account, we would still not be able to devise a fail proof plan.

No plan, no map can ever be 100% indicative of what actually happens! So how do we account for that which can't be accounted for? Why am I actually stressing this fact? Isn't it that 'we win some and loose some'? It certainly can be, if you are OK with that?

When I went to the Olympics I had just won the World Championships the year before and I certainly went there to win, as did a number of other competitors in my discipline. I wasn't going to leave it to chance. Since I was 8 years old I was competing in my sport and from about age 16 the Olympics was my declared goal and passion. Now I am here and NOW everything has to fall into place, or does it?!

So, what is the answer? Not to make a plan at all? Or to leave particular things open and unanswered, or to have a number of plans (A, B, C, ?), or to 'do your best and don't worry about the outcome'?

Before I give my take on this, I want to stress the important fact that at this point I was prepared to 'peak'. I went through many troths to get to this peak and these 'down times', or 'basic training periods' are what provided the foundation for the peak. When you truly take in the inevitability of this principle you can use it to evaluate what benefits could be had by periodising the activities of your company or by taking account for times of action and replenishment in your life.

There is also an important qualitative differentiation. What you actually 'do' at your peak, the actual way (technique) you use your resources may be very different to how you operate at other times. This may have to necessarily be so, because of the sustainability of the effort, due to physical or mental strain. Again, taking this into account will give you more energy when you really want it, when you need it to make the difference to your competitors. When you always run on what you consider 'high', where will you get the energy to go to 'highest', or 'smartest', or 'most dynamic', what ever the key quality is that you or your team need to excel.

Also know that there is no growth without recovery. It's in times of recovery and replenishment that our bodies and minds grow and adapt. Understanding this and putting it to work effectively, is a huge area of gain for athletes and others wanting to grow and develop.

In summary for now, Actual Achieving doesn't come from nowhere, resources need to be build and techniques need to be acquired. Peaking all the time is not possible and much can be gained from positively understanding and working with this. This much for honoring the process! More in part 2.

© by Oliver Fix

About The Author
Oliver Fix, Olympic Gold Medallist in 1996 and Olympic Medal Winning Coach in 2004, offers coach / consultant services that can propel you and your company into this outstanding level of success.

Find out more on his website: http://www.oliverfix.com and contact him at: oliver@oliverfix.com

---

Living The Real Life Beyond Goal Setting

In many of his wonderful talks the motivational speaker Zig... Read More

Ingredients That Make A Winner

Whether we like to admit it or not, other people's... Read More

Focus

To have a goal is like having a road map.... Read More

Goal Setting Basics - 3 Steps Plus 1

Goal setting seems to be one of the most misundertood,... Read More

Combining the Mind and Effective Goal-Setting

Goals are of vital importance in our lives. Many of... Read More

Goals - If You Don?t Know What You Want, Then How Are You Going to Get It?

Recently, I spoke with a client who wanted me to... Read More

Ten of My Favorite Quotes About Goals

1. Duke (Edward Kennedy) Ellington (1899-1974) American Composer Bandleader and... Read More

Why Do Many Smart, Motivated People Never Achieve Their Goals?

In his multimedia "Unleash Your Greatness Success System" Mike Litman... Read More

Setting Goals for Success

"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More

How To STAY on TARGET with Your BUSINESS Plans

Set your GOALS - write them down! Most of us... Read More

Who Needs a Rear-view Mirror? Successful Living by Mastering Our Past

When driving, we need to check our rear-view mirror every... Read More

The Great American Dream Challenge: Faith Restored

Years ago, people came to America in pursuit of their... Read More

The Painless Solution To Procrastination

I have a confession to make. Once upon a time,... Read More

Achieving Impossible Goals By Ignoring The Experts

"If the world were to blow itself up the last... Read More

The Power of Goals - Gordon the Tank Engine

Lately I have been studying mindset and goals, and wanted... Read More

The Promise: The Key to the Successful Achievement of Your Goals

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to... Read More

Goal Setting: 5 Simple Steps

One of the things that frustrated me while in school... Read More

Stop Procrastinating - Start Achieving Your Goals

It has been said that 60-80% of New Year's resolutions... Read More

Obtaining Your Desires

For one to achieve their goals or obtain their desires,... Read More

Manage Your Expectations ... And Raise The Bar On Your Quality Of Life!

When I was a newbie in 'the game of life,'... Read More

Making the Most of Your Year

Do you find yourself amazed at how quickly the months... Read More

How To Rise Above The Clutter In Your Brain

Ever notice when you start a new hobby or fall... Read More

Achieve Goals Using The Lasso Principle!

Here is a unique way to combine your breath and... Read More

Blogging Your Way to Goal Success

If you have always been procrastinating on how to get... Read More

Commitment

A true commitment is a heart felt promise to yourself,... Read More

Your Life Is A Do-It-Yourself Project!

The responsibility of working hard, planning and living a successful... Read More

Hustle While You Wait

Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait -Thomas... Read More

Goal Setting

The goal-setting process enables an organization to check on the... Read More

Where Will You Be July 1st, 2006?

So, a New Year has snuck up on you again... Read More

Overcoming Discouragement

We have all had times in our lives where someone... Read More

How to Set Effective Goals That Guarantee Your Success

In this article, I will be sharing with you the... Read More

Setting Goals ? Things to Think About

We hear a lot about the steps we should take... Read More

Goal Setting ? The Importance of Stern Resolve!

"Every man should be born again on the first day... Read More