Pushing the Limits: Discovering Personal Leadership by Diving into the Unknown

Have you ever looked back on a decision and thought, "What was I thinking?" Well, that's exactly where I find myself as I reflect on my latest great idea: do a Spartan Ultra race in November. It's just a 30 miles "obstacle course" that has more than 4,000 feet of climbing and, oh ya, those 60 obstacles you encounter along the way. And even better, due to injuries and the hip surgery that followed I haven't until very recently been able to run than a six mile run since 2016. Ya, what WAS I thinking...

Now, for those of you who know me from my Ironman days, this might sound like just another day at the office. But let me set the record straight: those Ironman challenges were approached with meticulous planning and plenty of time to train. This time, I've thrown caution to the wind, diving headfirst into what can only be described as a recipe for cramps, bleeding, and the kind of adventure that you talk about for years... and that doesn't even mean you finish it.

Why, you might ask, would I do this to myself?  The answer is simple: personal leadership.

The Essence of Personal Leadership

Personal leadership is about steering your own ship, even when you're not sure if the destination is a tropical paradise or an iceberg-laden sea. It’s about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, setting your course, and adjusting the sails as you face new winds and waters. It's not just about navigating through calm seas but also about managing the storms without losing sight of your horizon.

Through the lens of preparing for a Spartan race, we can extract critical lessons in personal leadership:

• Vision and Planning: Just as a race requires a clear vision and meticulous planning, so does any significant professional endeavor. For this Spartan race, despite the physical setbacks of recent years, setting a clear goal and outlining the steps to achieve it, no matter how difficult, mirrors the strategic planning needed in business or any major life pursuit.

  
  

• Resilience and Adaptability: Obstacles in a race demand quick thinking and adaptability, much like the challenges encountered in a business environment. This race, filled with physical and mental challenges, tests my ability to adapt strategies and persevere through pain and setbacks, a direct reflection of navigating business uncertainties or personal crises.

  
  

• Self-Awareness and Growth: Understanding one’s physical and mental responses to stress and challenge can lead to profound personal insights and heightened leadership capabilities. Training for this race will be a journey in self-discovery, revealing strengths I never knew I had and areas where I need to grow.

Lastly in situations like this it really comes down to Perseverance and Commitment. The determination to keep moving forward, even when faced with setbacks, is essential in both racing and leadership. Committing to finish a 30-mile race with extensive obstacles despite knowing I won't be fully physically prepared exemplifies the grit and persistence required to lead in any capacity.

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

There’s a quote by T.S. Eliot that I’ve always held close to my heart: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." This race is my "too far." By pushing limits, we can discover new depths of resilience and determination. This is the essence of personal leadership—venturing into the unknown to uncover the full extent of our capabilities.

Just like muscles that grow strongest when they are stretched the most, our personal growth accelerates when we are pushed beyond our perceived limits. This race will demand not just physical endurance but a mental fortitude I haven't tapped into for a while. It’s about rekindling the fire within and remembering that the person who completes this race will be stronger and more aware of their intrinsic power than the one who started it.

The Journey of Preparation

The road to the Spartan Ultra will be paved with early mornings, hundreds of hours of disciplined training sessions, and many moments where I question myself. I'll be sharing each step of this journey on my blog here at LuminaLeadership.com, not just to document my progress but to show how personal leadership unfolds in real time - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Through this process, I hope to inspire you to think about your own "Spartan race." What is your challenge? What have you shied away from because it seemed too daunting? Maybe it’s starting a new business (see this one for me), changing careers, or even running your first 5k. Whatever it is, consider this: real growth starts where your comfort zone ends.

Embracing the Unknown with Humility and Humor

Let’s face it: it's guaranteed that during the race, I’ll find myself face-down in the mud, questioning my life choices. But that's the real juice. Personal leadership is about embracing every stumble and face-plant with humility, some humor, and a ton of grit. After all, every mishap is just a story in the making—a tale of perseverance and the pursuit of personal excellence.

So, as I lace up my running shoes and set my sights on the daunting miles ahead, I invite you to join me in this journey. Let's explore what lies beyond our comfort zones, together. Let's discover just how much we're truly capable of achieving. Because in the end, it's not just about finishing the race; it’s about expanding the boundaries of our own potential, about the power of pushing past what we think isn't possible no matter what it is.