On April 26th, I was at Gleneagles for a truly inspirational and world-class day at the Entrepreneurial Scotland annual conference, themed “Global Mindset, Scottish Heart”.
The conference was opened by my friend, the truly inspirational Mark Beaumont, who just over a year ago utterly smashed the round the world cycling record, taking it down 40% to under the mythical “Around the World in 80 Days” level.
Mark taught us a two-part lesson.
Mark spoke of two individuals who have asked him for support in breaking another round the world record. He asked them both, separately, “how fast do you think you can do it ?”. They both answered, “well, the record is x days, I’ll beat that”. His response to each of them was simple. “Then, you will fail”.
You see, they had ignored Mark’s first lesson.
That first lesson is to become really clear on who you are and how much you are capable of, to find your own personal best. He speaks from experience. He had stretched himself to the absolute limit in prior endurance adventures. I’d also add that it is a true privilege to have got to know Mark over a number of years. He is truly a massively self-aware and humble leader and an old soul. An old head on young shoulders would be another phrase. Inspirational!
Knowing who he is and what his ultimate capability was, Mark then set that 80 days target.
The second part of the lesson is then to design and build a plan and then execute it as if you truly are going to achieve your full potential, your own “80 days”. there will be times when you are at the limit, and you need to stop thinking and simply execute a well thought out plan that you know you can deliver on. To go on automatic pilot when needed.
A famous quote from Mike Tyson is “everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face”. If I may extend that from what Mark taught us, “everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face. When you get punched in the face, you need a plan more than ever.”
So… what is your 80 days?
What is your personal best, your true and full potential?
If you know that, what then? What do you need to have in place in order to achieve that potential?