ROAD to IRONMAN with Derek Garcia March 2, 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.

I remember when my first son was born, how extremely special that day was. Months of build up leading to this amazing and special day where it became a reality that my wife and I now had this overwhelming and extraordinary opportunity to be stewards of a human life!

It was terrifying.

It was exhilarating.

I knew that our lives had changed, not for 18 years, but forever.

It is easy to list these moments, life changing, monumental moments.

The question is, or at least the one I ask myself often is, "what makes me joyful on a daily basis?" How can I fill that time between those HUGE moments?

We all have our daily grind. Often upon arriving back at home it is easy to look back at the day and concede it was just another day.

Opportunity.

That is what makes me joyful.

Opportunity makes me excited.

I look into now my two little boys' faces and realize we have opportunities daily. What will I teach them today? I can be a better father today than I was yesterday, because it is a new day. The tricky thing about opportunity though, is believing that it's there.

The important part is never coming to the conclusion that opportunity is gone.

THINK ABOUT how it relates in a football game.

As long as there is time on the clock there is hope. Then the time comes in the game where it is obvious that the chance to win has passed. So the key is to remember that there is still hope, and often opportunities our right in front of us, but a negative outlook causes us to overlook what is right under our nose.

So what does it take to identify opportunities? You just have to ask yourself what you want. Because successful, joyful people, they make opportunities. They don't question whether or not there is opportunity each day. Successful people create opportunities.

You see, it is about outlook. Why are people unproductive on Monday's?

Outlook.

Nobody is productive on Monday's right? Successful people are because the decision has been made regardless of the day and any other circumstances.

SO FOR those training for Ironman who feel burnt out, remember to take joy in your daily opportunities. If you have failed in business, maybe it is time to create new opportunities. If you have relationships that are difficult, what ways can you create a new direction?

Take joy in the challenge, be different, don't let others distract you from your goals. There is still time on the clock, and I don't know about you, but I have decided I am winning this one no matter what it takes.

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].