Theese are the kind of aversities that make us stronger. We might have a little bump in the road but we are focussed on our goal, whatever that goal might be. Thank’s for bringing this article to our attention, it is always good to get food for thought.

Warm Regards,
Daniel Santana Vega

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I’m going to half agree with you and half disagree with you. I think the top performers look at both the score… and the process. (e.g., sales = the score, # phone calls made = the process).

-Victor

The Michael Phelps story reminds me of being a grunt in a Marine Corps infantry regiment (1st Battalion 5th Marines, the fightin’ fifth!) during the first Gulf War. I quickly learned that winning was the ONLY option. Second place sucks in combat!

I took the lessons from this little war to the restaurant business and they’ve served me well during my career. However, many of my coworkers and bosses thought I was a bit crazy until this current recession. The reality of survival of the fittest (or the best, fastest, strongest, etc.) isn’t just a theory anymore.

But as this recession stretches out I also remember the mental toughness that was required during those challenging times. The never give up mentality when it was over 120 degrees in the summer and below 45 degrees during the winter nights. You have to keep going and never quit.

Well before the war one of my company commanders took us on a long run to teach us this lesson. Must have been 8-10 miles. We always slowed down a block or so from our barracks and stopped in front to wind down and stretch. But one day he took off again after slowing! About half the company quit! They just stopped running. He took us up about a half block, turned around and came right back. He looked around and said, “Some of you quit because you already decided where the end is. And when you had to go farther you couldn’t do it. Don’t set yourself up mentally for failure.”

I have never forgotten that lesson. It doesn’t mean don’t have a strategy or plan for your success. It simply means that the world changes quickly in combat (and in this recession) and you have to be prepared to go further and farther than you ever imagined.

It’s gotten easier for me to pass this lesson along over the last several months. This recession will end but I don’t look at it as a negative or a struggle. I look at it as a gauntlet and test of leadership that will serve me well down the road.

Marcus Belardes, Director of Operations, Asqew Grill

Keeping your eyes open to inspiration from others is important – even if it is learning from examples that are bad examples (sometimes those are the MOST valuable)!

Victor – keep up the good work – you are a beacon of common sense in a crazy world!

I believe that successful entrepreneurs realize that the true competition lies within themselves, maintaining their focus on refining & improving their own techniques/talents regardless of the economic climate or the guy who has a bionic swimsuit in the next lane over. There will always be the next best whatever.

I try always to find the lesson from each stumble, continue to keep finding a new challenge – it requires lots of optimism & perseverance. Sometimes its scary to be self employed, but, it’s more terrifying not to be empowered with the choices I am now privileged to make for my self every day.

It seems clearly defined in these moments shared through Michael Phelps’ experience.
We need only strive to be our best selves. Surely that can never fail.

Again, great comments.

Ron in Tokyo