What bib number did you draw?

This week, after being in Tallahasse with a client, I flew to Anchorage for the start of the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled race. (Many of you know about my book, Iditarod Leadership, and my passion about the great leadership lessons learned from mushing and dog sled teams)

Last night was the annual Musher’s Banquet. There was entertainment, a meal, auction items and a chance for the race fans to interact with their favorite musher. As each musher was called to the stage to reach into the Mukluk (boot) where they draw for bib numbers (Bib numbers represent when they will start (which position)) there were pockets of cheering and it was a great time to recognize their sponsors and those that have contributed, greatly, to their being able to run this race.

So here’s what is on my mind for today… What bib number did you draw in life? What bib number do you feel you drew in life?

You see the drawing of starting position in the Iditarod and in life is, completely, random. We have NO control – whatsoever – over to whom we were born or to what circumstances.

What are your thoughts on that? How do you feel about the circumstances of your beginnings in life?

Now that you have that in mind – let’s deal with it..

There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING you can do about where, when, to whom, and the conditions of your start – nothing – and because you can do NOTHING about the starting position – it becomes a fact – it becomes your starting position and that’s it.

You might be saying, “Chris, You don’t understand…” and you may be right – but here is what I DO understand – regardless of your starting position – you finish is much more dependent upon your daily actions and attitudes than your starting position.

Your starting position is your history – you are already on your trail – already running your life race… Run it with pride – Run it with intentional purpose… which means – determine your desired destination and set the course to obtain it.

I have talked and shouted many times – that your start is not your destiny – your start is your start and DESTINY – is the same root where we get ‘destination’ from – it is a place that you decide beforehand to make as you goal – your destination – your “DESTINY”.

If you need more schooling, more economic opportunity, more connections, more anything – go for it… what is stopping you from achieving?

Your bib number?

SO WHAT?

That’s the bib number we were given – we can’t change it – we can’t let it define us! It adjusts our process to achieving success – but it CANNOT effect us unless we allow it.

DECIDE your desitination – your Destiny – or as I call it – you’re “BURLED ARCH”

Make a list of what you will need to get there – or start seeking the knowledge of what will be needed to get you there

Start – RUN! GO for it!

Betting on ’11?

Would you bet on your ’11?

What are the odds that you will succeed in 2011?

What is your belief about your odds in ’11?

50/50?... 60/40?... 40/60?...

The number says a lot about where your mindset is coming into the new year. And yet it IS a New Year!

Has anything changed? Has your outlook changed? Did you suddenly get a new contract on January 1 that made your entire year? Are you thinking about the year? Or just making through the month?

Our mindset coming into the New Year is a big indicater of where our year is already headed. As I rise to face the new day today – I am challenged with making sure that my mindset – my mental focus is sharpened to key off of the energy I want, the destination I want, and the results I want.

As the mind goes, as the beliefs go, and the focus goes – so goes the life…

This morning, as I face the start of the new week – and the 2^nd week of the year – my challenge is that I define my mindset, my belief set for the upcoming week, month, quarter.

Would I bet on my ’11?....

Would I bet that my ’11 will be better than my ’10 or ’09 or ’08? Would I bet that my ’11 would be better than the most successful year of my life? That I would achieve more this year? or reach more this year? Or attain more life satisfaction than ever before?

The challenge – the bet, if you will, comes down to this… I bet if I change my beliefs and I change my actions – I bet my year will be better than if I don’t!!!

How about you? Bet with me? Bet with me that if we choose to align together for the next year – and choose to hold each other mutually accountable for our beliefs, perspectives, and actions – that if we intentionally focus on the right things and tweak the right processes – that we will achieve more – than if we isolate, dwell, linger, regret, fear, and maintain status quo.

Last year is last year – my mistakes are in the past, my successes are in the past – my only bet – is to bet on my ’11. My actions and my thoughts in my ’11 will play a major role in my ‘success’ for 2011...

Me? I’m betting on ’11!!

A Little Insight on 4 Time Iditarod Champ Jeff King

There are many lesson to learn from this year's Iditarod! We will cover some of those over the next few posts. Before we do, I wanted to post a link to a blog post from Bruce Lee that pays homage to one of the Leaders in this sport. He is a 4 time champion and has had a lasting impact on the sport:


Jeff King Blog Link




What can we learn from this about leadership? What attributes are similar in great business leadership?

Have a great week!

2010 Promotional Video

Our 2010 promotional video has launched and can be viewed on YouTube by clicking here:

Chris Fuller 2010

New Events Page launched for Iditarod Leadership!

Click here to view

The Start before the Start

It's hard to believe that we are heading into the last few weeks of 2009. For some it will be, "Good Riddance!", for others, "Not Bad.." or "Hey, we did great!"

Regardless of your expression and feelings about 2009, there is a new year and new opportunities in front of you and the start of your next year officially begins in just 3 weeks! A time of renewal, of re-dedicating ourselves to our purpose and, hopefully, gaining useful insights into the patterns or occurrences of the past year.

I really struggle between helping people through talking about 'Purpose' and helping them through talking about 'Process'. Process isn't sexy. It's not the perception that's given off by World-Renowned, Charismatic, 'Motivational Speakers'! They have the reputation to stir up the inner spirit and to 'motivate' us to believe in the power of the dream and dream and dream and dream!!!

I LOVE THAT! It's what the 'Burled Arch' is all about… Reaching the Dream!

AND my heart goes to, "How?"

I think that it may, actually, be worse to have a dream and not know how to make it happen than to never know what that dream or purpose was in the first place.

You see, there has to be BOTH – purpose and process, "the dream" and "the daily", if we are ever going to reach our "purpose"….. "on purpose"

To start the process, we have 3 areas of focus for the next 3 weeks.

1. What's the dream? Has it changed or revised since the start of last year? (Burled Arch)
   
2. Review and learn from the progress of our race toward the Burled Arch in 2009 (Evaluate and Evolve)
   
3. Purpose the process. (Ready and Checkpoints)
   

The Action for our 'Race' will occur in 2010 – and although it is EXTREMELY cheesy – the only way that we are going to "Win in '10" - is if we have "Purpose" AND "Process" .

I warned you about the 'cheese' factor, right?

To close out 2009 with the most benefit possible let's spend some time this week thinking about the last year. I would encourage you to take a consultants approach to your year, as opposed to a participants approach.

As a participant, you are going to feel all of the bumps and bruises over again as you relive each moment…

As a consultant, we recognize the emotions but search, dig, and glean for the lessons and ways for 'process improvement'

Try to step outside of your year and take a look, if needed – meet with your team or someone outside of you and your team for this process – it will pay tremendous dividends when done right!

The next 3 weeks will be a time of getting ready for the start of 2010. Let's start STRONG – in fact, let's start NOW.

Have a great week!

Iditarod Leadership Book - Now Released for Sale!

We are very excited about the first shipments of the book being released. Please stay tuned for more details and to follow the impact that the book is having on leaders and organizations. To purchase one or more copies of the book, prior to the release into bookstores, please click below:

For Case pricing please email us: Books@IditarodLeadership.com