When I was in my teens and working in the family trailer
repair business, I was intrigued by the movie On Any Sunday.
It showed guys like Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen,
speeding across the desert on a dirt bike. I wanted to do
that! What I learned from years of competing in Desert
and Enduro Races gave me the foundations that I would,
eventually, apply to running my own business. As someone
once said, “Experience is the cruelest teacher of them
all. First, she gives you the test and then she gives you the
lesson.”
Every day, I find myself reflecting on those racing lessons
to help me solve the day-to-day challenges that come with
running a business. The following is a list of some of my most
memorable lessons that I regularly summon to help me in
business. Hopefully, you find that some of these will help you,
too.
1. Do It Because You Love It
Desert racing is not about putting on a
show in front of others. There’s no grand
stands with cheering fans. It’s an endurance
test of will and resources. Early on in my
career as a business owner, I learned that
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I was motivated by something much grander than possibly
impressing others with my skills. I was doing what I was doing
because of why I was doing it. I love helping customers and
teammates and that not only makes me feel good, but it gives
me the will to keep doing it.
2. Always Be Omni-Aware
Take the blinders off. While staying focused on a target is
important, having good situational awareness will keep you
alive. In racing, the competition is in one of only two places:
behind you or in front of you. Being omni-aware allows you
to identify threats while focusing on your target.
3. Things Will Go Bad
Mike Tyson said, “Everybody has
a plan until they get punched in
the mouth.” I have never had
a race go just like I planned.
Something unexpected always
popped up and forced me to
adapt to the situation. Flexibility
and improvisation is what allows a business owner to
continue to arrive at the desired destination.
More trailer news on page 46
continued on page 54
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