|
Dear PB Readers,
Life is about timing and my timing couldn't have been better
this past weekend. I was in Madrid, Spain as an invited guest
to host an internet show around the Madrid World Cup Triathlon
and work on the international television commentary. Three
major things were going on in Madrid this past weekend. First,
the World Cup Triathlon had the biggest elite field of the
summer racing in Spain. Second, Spanish tennis superstar Rafael
Nadal made the final of the French Open Tennis Championship.
Finally, hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic 2012 Olympic
volunteers were out on the streets showing their support for
Madrid's 2012 Olympic Bid.
Madrid is just four weeks away from finding out whether they
will be selected for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. A finalist
against Paris, London, New York City and Moscow, the energy
in this Spanish nation is fantastic. With the vast majority
of the sporting venues already built and one of the best subway
systems in the world, Madrid is a very strong candidate for
the 2012 Games. Having been a part of Toronto's 2008 Olympic
Bid under the direction of John Bitove, I can remember the
energy in the volunteers and the local citizens.
Madrid is a city of four million people, but you don't feel
crowded in this sophisticated city. A balance of old castles
and new buildings - Madrid is one of the world's greatest
cities. The race organizers have found an incredible park
(larger then New York's Central Park) with a small, clean
lake and 8km of beautifully paved, hilly roads for the bike
and run elements of the triathlon. Add two big screen televisions
in front of the grandstands and 250,000 spectators around
the course and you have the makings for an incredible event.
The race organizers had 14 camera men stationed around the
course so that I had non-stop visuals to announce to the enthusiastic
crowd. For more details of the 2005 race see www.triathlon.org
for pictures and video clips. By the time you are reading
this newsletter I will be in the air back to Caledon and the
start of another exciting summer week.
We had a huge number of new PB readers this week. Thanks
to each of you who passed on emails of family and friends
and to those who contributed stories and ideas. My newsletter
is simply a by product of your contributions. Send your new
names and stories to barrie@personalbest.ca and keep checking
our website at www.personalbest.ca. Have a great week.
JUNE 6th PB HIGHLIGHTS
* JOHN WOODEN QUOTE ON THE ACHIEVING YOUR POTENTIAL
* STEVE GOODIER ASKS "HOW BIG IS YOUR FRYING PAN?"
* MOTIVATING OTHERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
* PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK
* CANADIAN PADDLERS OFF TO THEIR BEST SPRING IN DECADES
* SPECIAL THANKS TO GOLFERS
JOHN WOODEN QUOTE ON ACHIEVING YOUR POTENTIAL
"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished,
but by what you should have accomplished with your ability."
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a very important yet difficult concept
for parents, teachers and coaches to get through to their
children, students, and athletes. More often then not, our
children are encouraged by society "to just be average".
Those individuals trying to achieve excellence above "the
norm" are often met with criticism by envious and less
focused people around them.
I have to continually remind my athletes that they ARE NOT
NORMAL! While they are no more important than any of their
peers, they are anything but normal. John Wooden's quote on
measuring yourself against your potential is important for
all of us!
STEVE GOODIER ASKS "HOW BIG IS YOUR FRYING PAN?"
Are you setting your sights too low? I heard of a woman who
fished all morning and never caught anything. But a man in
the next boat was reeling in a fish every time she glanced
over. Then, to make matters worse, he kept the small ones
and threw the large ones back into the water! She couldn't
stand it any longer. She called over to him, "How come
you're throwing the big ones back?" He answered by holding
up a little frying pan.
We may think that is silly but, in our minds, don't we all
hold up frying pans? Every time we throw away a big idea,
a magnificent dream or an exciting possibility, are we measuring
it against a small frying pan? We talk about making more money
or becoming more successful, but I believe that this
concept works in other, and sometimes more important
areas, as well. We can love more than we ever dreamed possible!
We can be happier and live more fully than we ever thought
we could! What we can do or become is limited more by the
size of the frying pan in our minds than by actual circumstances.
Author Brian Tracy reminds us that "you are not what
you think you are, but what you think, you are." Think
big. Dream big. Pray big... and look for big results. It all
begins with changing the size of your thinking. What would
happen if you threw away the frying pan you have been using
to measure the size of your dreams, and replaced it with a
larger one? What would happen if you decided that it may really
be possible to have a better relationship with the one you
love, or that you actually can be happier and more fulfilled
than you are now? What would happen if you decided never
to settle for anything less than what you truly want? What
if, from now on, you threw the little fish back and kept the
big ones? And what if you decided to begin today?
MOTIVATING OTHERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
One of the greatest honours I get is personal calls or emails
from people who have changed their lives because of a meeting
or seminar I have run. Last year I was a keynote speaker at
a conference at McMaster University. Sitting in the audience
was a very normal woman named Anita Toth who wanted to find
a way to make a difference in the lives of under-privileged
children. Below is Anita's fantastic story of turning a setback
into a success for society and a big reason why I love doing
motivational talks!
Dear Barrie. Back in 2002, I tore a tendon in my right leg
and went from being very active to having to use handicapped
parking to get around. I thought back to my childhood when
I was a competitive swimmer and how I had developed so many
life skills that have been invaluable to me since my youth.
I decided that if I could no longer participate in sport then
I wanted to be able to give kids a chance to experience what
I had been given through my swimming career.
While browsing the internet I came across KidSport, a national
program which helps economically challenged children become
involved in sport. The program pays for registration and/or
equipment grants to ensure children can play regardless of
their economic status. I found out there was no chapter in
the Hamilton area where I live, but that I was more than welcome
to start one. Being new to the area with few contacts the
odds seemed long of me being able to start such a huge undertaking.
In 2004, I met you at a retreat where you presented on the
power of having an important dream. We spoke after your talk
and shared with you my dream. With your suggestion of some
Hamilton area contacts and some positive enthusiasm, I was
able to find the key person to help this project become a
success.
Now less then two years after my dream, we are officially
launching KidSport Hamilton on June 18th. I never in my wildest
dreams thought that I could be a part of something so big.
I am thankful that I was able to overcome my fears (and there
were a lot) and commit to trying this. The individuals that
have joined me in developing this chapter have been some of
the best people I have ever met. KidSport Hamilton would not
be what it is today without their support, input and dedication.
Thanks for your confidence. Sincerely. Anita Toth
EDITOR'S NOTE: I believe there is nothing more important then
our nation's children. Starting with parents, moving to teachers,
coaches and caring volunteers, we all have an important role
to play in developing our nation's most important resource.
Hundreds of Hamilton area children will benefit (likely forever)
because of the kindness and generosity of Anita Toth and her
KidSport Hamilton Chapter.
I think it is very important to review why KidSport Hamilton
will be successful and why my email last week (to the person
who wanted to ride across USA to raise funds for kids) will
likely come up short. Remember.
It starts with a dream (both projects had that). Then it
needs a well thought out plan (clearly KidSport had a great
one and our cycling project likely was a little thin on the
planning stage). Lastly and most important - you need a motivated
support team to help execute your plan and make those BIG
DREAMS COME TRUE. In less than two years Anita and her team
went from a DREAM to a reality. Follow those simple steps
and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.
PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK
Barrie you have often spoken about "paying it forward"
in your newsletter. People who help others, who in turn use
that kindness to help others. On my journey through life,
I have learned that when we give to others we feel better
about ourselves. What I have also learned is that there is
a balance in the universe. We give, we get, we win, we lose,
we create holes in our lives, the universe fills them, etc.
Yesterday, a colleague told me of a gift he wanted to give
to my 86 year old mother. I was grateful that he was thinking
of her. On the way home I dropped in to the local grocery
store and a young man approached me outside the store and
said, "Excuse me, could I bother you and ask if you could
give me one loonie? My wife called me at work and asked me
to pick up a loaf of bread and when I got here I realized
I only have .50 cents and my wallet is at home." I gave
him a loonie knowing that at some point in the future he will
help another in need (perhaps someone we care about) S.C.
CANADIAN PADDLERS OFF TO BEST SEASON IN DECADES
I may be a little biased, because these great athletes came
out to my wife's power yoga classes all winter long. Last
weekend Adam van Koeverden, Tamas and Attila Buday and Carrie
Lightbound had one of their best ever paddling regattas. While
van Koeverden won gold and bronze in Athens, the Buday brothers
were 8th in the quadrennial paddling event. Last weekend all
won gold! Sometimes you don't fully appreciate how hard other
groups work. Having seen how hard the paddlers work, I am
not surprised by their international success. While the right
attitude and great coaching are their biggest assets, I want
to believe Caron's help at fully developing and balancing
their core strength might have played some small role. If
anyone would like to purchase Caron Shepley's Dryland Power
Yoga for Athletes, you can get the video directly from her
website at www.bluedogyoga.com or email caron@personalbest.ca
SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO GOLFED
While I had to catch my flight to Madrid before the silent
auction ended, the 3rd Annual C3 Golf Tournament fundraiser
was a huge success. A sunny day, 22 foursomes, and a chance
for many of you to meet Canada's finest Triathletes. Special
thanks to Lisa Bentley our keynote speaker and to the many
that volunteered, and donated to this important cause. Keep
the first Thursday in June 2006 open in your daytimer.
TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERNCE IN THE LIVES OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON
THIS WEEK!
|