Road to Ironman with Derek Garcia Jan. 27, 2012
In the months leading up to the 10th anniversary of Ironman Coeur d'Alene on June 24, 2012, Derek Garcia will be writing a monthly column keeping the community updated on his adventures as well as what the hundreds of athletes from the Inland Northwest are doing in preparation for the race.
My good friend Frank Morton has a clothing company called "Young & Blessed."
He has many different articles of clothing that all have themes to encourage people. One of his shirts simply has the acronym F.B.G.B.G. Which stands for "forget being good, be great." This statement provokes an array of emotions when I give it some thought on how it applies to daily life.
Seeking excellence has to be a tireless pursuit. It is not short term, and the process does not provide frequent gratification. Pursuing, and ultimately reaching excellence doesn't mean one doesn't make mistakes along the way.
There really isn't an end to this endeavor, either. Those seeking true excellence realize it is highly individual, so once a goal is met the bar often continues to be raised.
THE ANSWER is the same when successful people, people who have achieved excellence in their lives, are asked what makes them successful.
It's the commitment to being excellent everyday. It is an approach to life that cannot be compromised.
In the morning when successful people wake up, the choice they make is to make the best out of that day. That is all one really has - today.
One might ask themselves these questions: Did I fail yesterday? It doesn't matter. Be great today. Are difficulties ahead? It does not matter. Be great today. Have I given up in this situation in the past? It does not matter. Today - I can choose to be great. Is anyone paying attention? It does not matter. Be great today.
WHAT DRIVES one to excellence?
It has to be BIG, really big. Because excellence is hard to achieve. Sometimes in this pursuit, one will be ignored. Sometimes in this process one will be told they are not good enough, or are destined to fail.
What is amazing though, is once a goal is achieved, it really was more about the process. It is looking back realizing that days, months, maybe years led to that goal. Consistency is the key. A brick itself is not much to look at, but thousands together make a beautiful home.
So I urge you, don’t give up in this pursuit. It is not too late to strive for excellence.
Whether excellence is finishing Ironman, putting the kids through college, or getting out of debt. Because as enjoyable as it is to achieve excellence, daily being great is powerful. Making the most of what we have is all we can do.
You see, this pursuit is not only powerful for you, but for those around you. Greatness inspires others, and you never know who you might encounter today. So today, I ask you to consider to F.B.G.B.G.
Derek Garcia owns his own personal coaching business, Derek Garcia Multisports, and will be competing in his first year as a professional in 2012. Contact Derek at [email protected].