Get out of your comfort zone, you might like it

It is Tour de France time and nothing is more inspiring this time of year than to see Lance Armstrong as a lead contender again. He is a personal hero of mine for his passion for excellence and his seemingly super-human resilience.

The metaphor for business is obvious as I began to look at the race itself. Like the Tour, business is a team sport and an individual sport. We all have competition, which ultimately makes us better, stronger, and faster. We have the hills and valleys of the economy to navigate. We have the flat smooth areas that give us time to catch our breath and enjoy the view.

As a cycling instructor at one of the local fitness facilities, I have been cycling indoors for years. Friends and students have encouraged me to get out onto the open road and test my classroom skills. I finally relented. I bought a respectable road bike (sticker shock) which cost as much as my first car. I have it moderately accessorized with speedometer, two water bottle holders, and a tire replacement kit.

Ready for the road, I met up with the Wednesday night ride coordinated by the Bike Stop here in Culpeper through their website rideva.com.

I was confident that I could hang tough with the other riders since I ride indoors several times a week. It just so happened that Bob Leftwich, the owner, was at the ride that I choose to start my outdoor “hobby.” Bob invited me to take a shorter ride with him that day. He said it is a bit hilly but shorter. No problem – shorter sounded good for my first ride. It was the “hilly” part that I should have paid attention to. He patiently waited at the top of each hill for me to catch up. So much for my indoor skills!

However, the real road is a whole new experience. It requires conditioning, balance, agility, focus, total body strength, and mental fortitude. So much more than the comfort of the cycling studio where hills can be simulated to end when you want them to end.

My point is this. There is a world of difference between thinking that you are good at something and putting the rubber to the road. Professionals make the job look easy because they work hard and smart to keep their competitive edge.

Are you as good as you need to be to win at your business? Are you complacent in your indoor cycling studio thinking that you are the best at what you do? Is it time to test some new ideas and take your business / your personal goals to new levels? Like many things worthwhile — going for it can be as satisfying as the destination of achievement. I loved the beauty of the back roads of Madison County. I loved being back at my car even more.

Go Lance! Culpeper is cheering for you. Come and see us for a Culpeper Ride. I will be ready …