Exactly Average

From the book, The Fear Project:
We all start out at different levels in any skill set we try. No matter where you start out on the genetic totem pole, research shows that training is what makes you excel. Even the most gifted athletes and thinkers result more often from better training than better genetics. In multiple studies, soccer players performed better than average on soccer skills. Obviously. But they performed exactly average on simple reflex and reaction time skills. The same has been shown of musicians and chess players.

Why is this important to me?

Because I'm exactly average on the genetic totem pole. Exactly average. IQ. Reaction times. Emotional intelligence. Learning ability. Physical ability. I'm as average as it gets.

But I have extraordinary dreams.

I want to make a big impact on the world around me and be a big piece of the world peace puzzle. And I want to win bike races. And I want to create beautiful music. And I want to travel the world. And, and, and ....
How can I do all of that extraordinary stuff if I'm exactly average?

Because it's not about genetics. It's about training.
Thank God!!!

I'm not an extraordinary musician. But I put the extra time in to be an equal with my peers who are extraordinary. This was evident last night at the Johnson City Symphony Concert. I get to be surrounded by incredible local musicians who push me to be better and better with each concert cycle. A beautiful thing to experience.

I'm not an extraordinary athlete. But I'm putting in the time to get faster and fitter (and having a blast along the way!).

Practice is something I am good at. Because I'm exactly average :-)

Three cheers for the average people of the world! WooHoo Woo Hoo WooHoo!!!

This is the exact reason I love Vanderkitten: ordinary women, achieving extraordinary things. They get it.

Impact.

Word of the Year

Every year in January, I choose a word to focus on, in place of new year's resolutions. This personal tradition started in 2007. Peace. Drive. Joy. Be. Hope. Fun. Power. It is a simple way of adding a little focus to my constantly chaotic life.

2013 was a big year for me. Don't we always say that? Actually, they've all been big years for me. I've come to appreciate all of the years I've been blessed with, even the hard ones. My word for this year was POWER. I really wanted to step into myself, be more fully ME, and take responsibility that comes with power. It happened. 

I traveled out of the country for the first time, and I did it solo.

I graduated my GIM program and finished my MARI training.

I decided to buy a house and began that long process.

I dropped some weight, dropped body fat and got significantly stronger.

I raced in my first bike race and placed as high as 3^rd in the season

I expanded my business, making a bigger impact on the community

I also screwed up. A lot.

This year is no different. Extraordinary Impact is my focus for 2014. Extraordinary, as in celebratory fireworks for a life worth rejoicing. Impact, as in demolishing old beliefs and habits that no longer serve me. Extraordinary, as in clearing the way for newness and efficiency. Impact, as in energy to see tasks and projects to completion. Extraordinary Impact.