As a follow on from last weeks editorial, I love the grass root street wisdom of Mike Tyson. Invariably his quote had it’s seed in the boxing ring. Top boxers often train ferociusly in a camp for three or more months with just one goal. Along with their coach they study previous videos of the coming oponent taking meticulous note of every good skill, every repeated strategy and any vulnerable stances, covers and moves, to be taken advantage of.
Together they come up with a plan to knock the other guy down. Motivational psychology to pump the fighter up, self assured, convinced he will win. The day comes, he enters the ring, the bell rings and WAMMO!
The plan he constantly imagined, visualised and practised is out the window.
As you know, life’s like that.
There are an infinite number of things that could take you unexpectedly and disrupt the plans you had. Your sense of security. Your personal finances. An accident. A breakup. Your business.
Wallowing in the blame of others, seeking revenge or seeking reasons or excuses will not move you forward. We all need to learn to ‘roll with the punches’. To adapt.
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was almost embarrassingly simple. It was a Friday and I had endured a fairly tough day in many ways. My friend and General manager, Derek Van Beynen returned to the office and casually asked how my day had been. So I shared my frustration.
Derek replied with just three powerful words that I have never forgotten. “Step over it”
I immediately saw my problems as some sought of fallen log, and imagined myself visually stepping over the log. I suppose I had been feeling sorry for myself but quickly saw that my thinking had to change.
Consequently, no business I have ever started has gone to plan. No house I purchased has come without challenges. No relationship that I have ever had has come without questions and without give, take and compromise.
Realise and accept that YOUR LIFE will always come with challenges and unforseen happenings. I’ve often since thought of life as if playing a game of Monopoly. Just a roll of the dice and you land on Old Kent Road, you get charged a huge rent for landing on Mayfair, or worse you pick up the card that sends you to jail.
Expect challenges. Become adept at holding your chin up high and moving on.
This week’s newsletter can be found here
