This past weekend's NASCAR race in Dover, Delaware was absolutely dominated by Jimmie Johnson and the Number 48 Team. Johnson led 289 of the 400 laps. He was the class of the field all afternoon, but with a late wreck bringing out the caution flag, everyone came in to pit. Different strategies played out: some teams took four tires, and others took just two, getting out of the pit faster with a better starting position when the race restarted.
The 48 Team, which had been perfect all day in the pit, had an extremely slow stop: Jimmie Johnson came into his pit in first place and came out running eighth. The problem was a different system for the pit stop than the one they had used all day long to try and save time. I interpreted it as their trying to be cute in the pits. This threw off their rhythm, and it looked like they would succeed at losing. Fortunately, Jimmie, with his four fresh tires, was able to catch up to the leaders and eventually pass them with only a few laps remaining, but that poor pit stop could have cost him the race.
The moral of this narration is to avoid beating yourself. Do not do things that open up the possibility of failure. If you are battling an addiction, do not put yourself in positions where you might use or be around people who do. If you have had a string of bad relationships, do not pursue a partner with the same characteristics. If you have found a technique in business that works for you, stick to it. I have seen many people who were on the right track, who beat themselves by getting off it and then failing. Unfortunately, you can be your own worst enemy. You need to work on being your own best friend.
Erik Elsea
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