VISION: Go the Extra FIVE miles

“Are you crazy?” inquired the man digging out his vehicle keys.

“YES!” –I answered to this accusation, one of many times over the past four decades. (This accusation is virtually always a sign of being on the path towards great success.)

“No one should be outside in this weather, much less running speed workouts,” replied the heavily dressed concerned citizen.

Many times this past winter I have trained in inclement weather. Most folks asking are those who care, and yet they lack understanding what drives a champion to train in deep snow or double-digit below zero temperatures.

Occasionally, I find myself reflecting upon a run on New Year’s Day 1995. A 20-mile run was scheduled. However, the temperature was 5 below zero with the wind-chill 25 to 30 below zero. Additionally, the depth of the un-cleared snow exceeded the top of my knees! My initial reaction was to decrease the run to 15 miles. After all, it was miserable outside and New Year’s Day – both good excuses – right?

Some suggested I not run at all. However, since my first hunch was to decrease the run 5 miles, I instead chose to increase the run 5 miles. I received tremendous gratification upon completing the 25-mile run in miserable and painful conditions.

“How do you do it?” ask those seeking to understand. Several factors lead to what many consider insane behavior.

One powerful factor is vision. A vision is rich in its minute details involving all five senses. In addition to seeing the vision, one must hear, smell, feel and taste everything imaginable with the vision. An effective vision enables laser focus and to tenaciously keep at it.

An effective vision generates emotions including laughter, tears, even shivers down the spine. Coach Bill "Congo" Congleton frequently repeated, "Your mind cannot tell the difference between a real and imagined event." With an effective vision, your performance hinges upon your desire to create the reality of your vision. This means you either go for what you have imagined, or you choose to avoid temporary discomfort - neglecting your vision.

What is your vision? Your dreams will perish without a vision! With an effective vision, (in any endeavor) you will pass the complacent who travel only the ‘extra mile’. With Vision you will traverse the extra FIVE miles, a 500% increase in performance generated by your effective vision.

Be ready, you may be asked “Are you crazy?” Only if being on the path toward great success means you are crazy. Keep your Vision on Christ!

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com