When the going gets tough

I’ve just completed what is widely regarded as one of the worlds toughest ultra endurance cycling races – the TCR (Trans Continental). It was my first race ever and longest cycling event (4200km vs 1500km) to date. I’m always up for a challenge – this was a chance to reflect on life and the lessons for work-life.

While the high level the statistics of needing to traverse 4000+ km across perhaps 14 countries (depending on your route choice) with 40,000+ m climbing (about 5 times up Everest) sounds tough enough, it’s the second layer of challenges that make this ride really tough. These were something I’d only truly understand during the toughest times of the event. This second layer, the layer that really counts, includes:

·???????? Getting lost, then getting unlost (how did my carefully planned route turn out so badly?)

·???????? Temperatures in the high 30s celicus

·???????? So many aggressive dog encounters at night you lose track (fight or flight response)

·???????? Gravel roads so rough and steep, you end up walking. Unashamedly. A lot.

·???????? Gravel tracks with landmine warning signs on either side for miles on end (Kosovo)

302 participants from around the world would start the race. Only 137 would make the finish before the final time cut. Races like this are a test not ‘just’ physically, but also mentally. They’re a test of how you handle stress, of how you cope with various challenges thrown your way. It forces you to reflect on who you are, and how to grow in a good way. So what lessons can be reinforced or learned about life and by extension work life?

1.?????? Set a clear goal. Some people race these events to win the event or their category. As a first timer, my goals were more modest. I printed them on my jersey: Go safe, Go far, Go tough, Go fast, Go home – where ‘go fast’ was to get back within the time cut, for the finishers party. Safety first.

Be clear in your goal and communicate it.

2.?????? Be prepared to adapt. Although I spent a lot of time planning this event, I still made some pretty major mistakes, then had to adapt. That might be accepting there would be a lot more walking than expected (then get on with it) or that the ‘perfectly planned route’ was anything but, and you’d have to reroute and make it up as you went. It also meant listening to the expert planners sucking air through their teeth when they heard the route you’d planned and accepting you’d messed up.

Don’t be afraid to reevaluate when new information emerges.

3.?????? Be prepared to pivot. It’s okay to pivot to a new strategy. I met a rider and discussed safety on the route. With heavy traffic and rough roads, it was a good chance to reflect on my primary goal – Go safe. What did that mean? What level of risk were we willing to take on, especially with young kids at home? That rider ended up pivoting and saying that he just felt too unsafe and it wasn’t worth the risk, after several near misses with cars. I decided to re-examine my route to try and make it as safe as I could, then push forward.

Always keep the big picture in mind and be prepared to pivot if needed.

4.?????? Don’t stop (for too long). Many times I ended up at a junction or somewhere unknown on a long gravel track in the searing sun, not knowing how far it would be until I hit another sealed road or a shop to resupply. It was useful to remember there were usually only two options – continue forward into the unknown or turn back to the last decision point (junction) and reevaluate. Sometimes the options would be ‘turn left or turn right’. The same goes in business. We’ve all heard of analysis paralysis. It helps to go back to basics – do you push forward with this strategy (adapt) or do pivot (new strategy – go back to the previous junction point)? ?

Standing still is not an option. If you’re not moving, you’re stuck. Don’t get stuck.

5.?????? Find comfort in discomfort. Things get tough in life. There are times when you don’t know all the answers and you’re in over your head. This doesn’t matter if it’s an extreme event like the TCR or an everyday work situation. It’s okay saying you don’t know. It’s okay to be inefficient first time and push through it, learning the lessons for next time. It’s okay to seek council from those who have more experience. In the timeless words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.

Moments of discomfort are moments you grow and learn the most. Embrace them.

6.?????? Find a sounding board. Don’t expect to know everything. Expect to have doubts. It’s useful to have someone to talk with. For me on the TCR it was a mix of fellow cyclists and people back home. Family is key. I'm extremely greatful for mine. At work, this translates to colleagues and people you respect in other workplaces – perhaps former colleagues. Sometimes you’ll get new insights, but often it’s the encouragement or reassurance that you’re on track and to trust in yourself. Reaffirming what you already know is valuable, as are new insights and a ‘get yourself together’ message.

Trust in yourself and learn from those around you

7.?????? Be a sounding board. Be prepared to give of yourself. This might be advice or a sympathetic ear. Remember to give back. Your experience and insights might be a positive difference in someones life.

Life is give and take. Remember to give.

I was really impressed by the many men and women I met on the TCR. Their success coming down to their mindset and approach. It was fascinating to see how people remained calm and focused despite setback after challenge after failure. While most people can deal with a setback or two, that people could triumph, despite being sleep deprived and facing all manner of problems, day after day, was a testament to resilience and grit. Watching these amazing people gave me added strength to move forward. This leads to one more lesson:

8.?????? Surround yourself with the right people. It’s easier to give into your own fears and weaknesses when you meet others with doubts that echo your own. Likewise, it’s easier to push forward and play to your own strengths if those around you are rising to new levels. This is regardless of whether it’s on the road or in the office.

Embrace the power of others.

So while you don’t need to get out there and do some extreme event, it did help me refocus on some basic life/work lessons on grit, determination and getting things done.