Nothing builds success faster than success.  But how do you get success if you don't already have it?  It seems like a catch-22.  Sometimes you have to "get the ball rolling" by creating your own success!  Each successful step fuels more success.

Continued from Part 1 (http://activerain.com/blogsview/813348/Success-breeds-Success-Tips-learned-from-Bicycling-PART-1-of-5).

2. Build momentum before the uphill climb.  My husband leads me on a grueling bike route.  Of course, he makes it look effortless, since he's athletic and fit.  But I huff and puff up the hills.  Our short route has 4 hills and our long route has 6 hills (2 very steep -- 1 of which I haven't yet mastered).  I'm learning that the easiest way to get up the hill is to build speed and momentum before climbing the uphill.  Although it would be easy to just relax and glide down the downhill descent; instead I pedal real hard (refer to #1) in 7^th gear.  I speed up and pedal hard; and as I gain momentum, each push becomes easier and propels me farther.  By the time I start uphill, I've already got incredible horsepower.  As I pump farther up the hill, it gets more difficult and I have to downshift to 5^th gear, then again to 3^rd.  That's about when I pass up my husband who's standing up and pumping in 1^st gear.  I ding my bicycle bell as a "shout out" when I pump past him (he he)!  Sometimes I can even make it all the way to the top of the hill without switching to 1^st gear.

Life Lesson:  There will be hills.  They are an inevitable part of life.  In fact, hills are actually good for you.  Without the hills, you wouldn't be able to build character.  You wouldn't develop fully if you only biked on the flat, easy roads.  But since you know that there'll be hills, start preparing early.  Gather speed.  Gain momentum.  Instead of gliding downhill (unless it's your last hill), use this opportunity to put your head down and work hard.  It'll pay off with an easy paced stride up the hilltop.

Stay tuned for Part 3.... Meanwhile, join my NEW group for professionals who work from their home office at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com