This week, my family and I are enjoying a few days away in the mountains, where we are all are having fun snowboarding and skiing. When I read this headline this morning, I was particularly touched.
Paul Schipper, an avid skier who hit the slopes every day of the season for more than 24 years, has past away. He was 85.
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WOW ... 24 years of skiing the slopes every single day during each season! That meant Paul was on the slopes for 3,903 consecutive days the mountain was open. (I've been on the slopes for three days in a row and I can tell ya, it's not that easy!!!!)
In order to keep his streak alive, Schipper skied in blizzards and through illness and once put off having a cancerous kidney removed so he could keep the streak going. Another time he arranged to ski down the mountain just after midnight in front of the lights of a ski groomer so he could drive to his son's graduation. That's what I call being dedicated to your passion and living full-out and By Design!
He was quoted once saying, "Some days I don't feel like going. But I can always get up there and stagger down one trail." Paul's son said about his father, "He sets a goal and he's driven to meet it."
Simple concept right. Pursuing your dreams, even on the days you don't feel like it. This sounds like a concept many of our coaching clients are hearing from me quite often these days.
Like Paul, many of us have passions that we dedicate our lives to. Whether it be professional, personal or spiritual, we pursue our goals with dedication and excitement. But do you do so even on the days you don't feel like it??? See, that's where the race is won. Are you ‘staggering down one trail' even when you don't want to?
The reality of our world right now is difficult to say the least. These harsh times are affecting a lot us, in all areas of our lives ... we can't hide from this fact. But now ... today ...this month ... this year ... I believe the more energy and enthusiasm we put towards accomplishing the goals we have set, the more fulfilled we will become.
Since we truly can't "control" what the stock market will do today or how the politicians will vote or if its going to rain or shine, we need to start focusing and putting some major effort behind the goals we have in our personal and professional lives. Through hard work and dedication (even on the days that we don't feel like skiing down the mountain), will lead us to achieving the things we really want.
In honor of Paul and his illustrious streak, take a moment today to think about your passions. What's making you excited right now? What are you committed to doing every day to have more fun, become more successful or more fulfilled?
Seriously, take a few moments with these questions. Listen to yourself answer them.
Looking forward to you all skiing down "whatever mountain" you decide!
Paul, thanks for the inspiration!
Passion Rules!
Tom Ferry
wwww.yourcoach.com
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