Actual Achievement Part 1

Sport is an excellent medium in which to explore the mechanics of achievement. My own background is in Whitewater Canoe Slalom, which requires power and technique in a constantly changing environment. How is this for a fitting metaphor for today's business environment and life altogether? You need resources (power), like money, people or things and use them in skillful ways (technique) to adapt, grow and thrive in an ever changing and unfolding environment.

You may know exactly what you want (e.g.: Gold Medal), even have a detailed and well researched plan or process to get there and you will still encounter those factors that are not under your control, factors you haven't accounted for.

Even if we were to collect all the experiences ever made in pursuit of this particular goal and were able to devise a plan taking all these experiences into account, we would still not be able to devise a fail proof plan.

No plan, no map can ever be 100% indicative of what actually happens! So how do we account for that which can't be accounted for? Why am I actually stressing this fact? Isn't it that 'we win some and loose some'? It certainly can be, if you are OK with that?

When I went to the Olympics I had just won the World Championships the year before and I certainly went there to win, as did a number of other competitors in my discipline. I wasn't going to leave it to chance. Since I was 8 years old I was competing in my sport and from about age 16 the Olympics was my declared goal and passion. Now I am here and NOW everything has to fall into place, or does it?!

So, what is the answer? Not to make a plan at all? Or to leave particular things open and unanswered, or to have a number of plans (A, B, C, ?), or to 'do your best and don't worry about the outcome'?

Before I give my take on this, I want to stress the important fact that at this point I was prepared to 'peak'. I went through many troths to get to this peak and these 'down times', or 'basic training periods' are what provided the foundation for the peak. When you truly take in the inevitability of this principle you can use it to evaluate what benefits could be had by periodising the activities of your company or by taking account for times of action and replenishment in your life.

There is also an important qualitative differentiation. What you actually 'do' at your peak, the actual way (technique) you use your resources may be very different to how you operate at other times. This may have to necessarily be so, because of the sustainability of the effort, due to physical or mental strain. Again, taking this into account will give you more energy when you really want it, when you need it to make the difference to your competitors. When you always run on what you consider 'high', where will you get the energy to go to 'highest', or 'smartest', or 'most dynamic', what ever the key quality is that you or your team need to excel.

Also know that there is no growth without recovery. It's in times of recovery and replenishment that our bodies and minds grow and adapt. Understanding this and putting it to work effectively, is a huge area of gain for athletes and others wanting to grow and develop.

In summary for now, Actual Achieving doesn't come from nowhere, resources need to be build and techniques need to be acquired. Peaking all the time is not possible and much can be gained from positively understanding and working with this. This much for honoring the process! More in part 2.

© by Oliver Fix

About The Author
Oliver Fix, Olympic Gold Medallist in 1996 and Olympic Medal Winning Coach in 2004, offers coach / consultant services that can propel you and your company into this outstanding level of success.

Find out more on his website: http://www.oliverfix.com and contact him at: oliver@oliverfix.com

---

Top 10 Ways to Ensure New Years Resolution Success

Did you know that fewer than 10% of people who... Read More

I Need to Accomplish Something

Do you have trouble taking a day off? Boy, I... Read More

Achieving Goals: The Remaining 90% - Sheer Persistence

Achieving goals requires persistence. Here's the proof: In 1915 Ty... Read More

Set Positive Goals And Strive To Achieve Them

On 31st January 2005, two students from my martial arts... Read More

How To Find Lasting Goals

If you, just by coincidence, read my short article about... Read More

Goal Setting or How Being SMART Isnt Always the Right Objective

Over the years much has been written on the subject... Read More

Intense Desire: Rocket Fuel When You Set Goals!

Have you set goals, personal or business, and failed to... Read More

Goal Setting ? The Importance of Stern Resolve!

"Every man should be born again on the first day... Read More

The Parable of the Jackrabbit: The Missing Key to Effective Goal Setting

So you've got a goal, and you know someone who... Read More

The 11 Basics of Goal Setting

"Man is a goal-seeking animal. His life only has meaning... Read More

Perfection the Un-Live-Able Goal

When we have a thought or idea that we want... Read More

Creative Visualization: How to Supercharge Your Goal Setting

Do you know the single best way to "supercharge" any... Read More

Dont Let Go Of Your Dreams

Don't let go of your dreams. If you have determination... Read More

Finding Your Niche

Why are there so much stress and unhappiness in the... Read More

The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal

We all have goals that are important to us. They... Read More

One Single Secret to Goal Setting Success

Perhaps you have never taken a stock of the most... Read More

Be Discontented With The Status Quo

It is natural to be satisfied with the way things... Read More

The Synergy of Vision

Over the years I have experienced some amazing results with... Read More

To Reach Goals: Bypass Resistance & Gather Assistance

To reach goals, consider this illustration: If you see roadblocks... Read More

Why, When You Set Goals, Do You Fail to Reach Them?

Why is it when you set goals for yourself most... Read More

Ready, Fire, Aim

Does the sub-title to this edition of Footprints and Monuments... Read More

Lessons from the First Space Strike

On Apollo 13, the crew staged the first strike in... Read More

Weave Your Own Web

Many elementary school children know the miracle of Charlotte's Web.... Read More

The Great American Dream Challenge: Faith Restored

Years ago, people came to America in pursuit of their... Read More

The Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Goals

Human beings are goal-seeking creatures. We are impatient and try,... Read More

Eight Steps to Taking Control of Every Situation in Your Life!

Like it or not, we are all gladiators. We go... Read More

Productive Goal Setting

There's been a lot written about goal setting and there... Read More

Make 2005 Your Best Year Ever - Its Not Too Late!

We are moving rapidly through 2005, and you'll find previously... Read More

Getting What You Want

1. Recognize that you are the source of everything that... Read More

Getting To The Top By Fits And Starts

I would venture to believe that most people have the... Read More

Applying Action To Your Inner Desires!

"I know what I need to do, but I'm scared... Read More

Blogging Your Way to Goal Success

If you have always been procrastinating on how to get... Read More

Do you Have the Burning Desire to Lose Weight or Reach any Goal?

NOTE: This article is one of the component parts of... Read More