When you take off on an adventure, things rarely proceed as planned.
The inaugural editition of FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR included, ummm, I guess we’d call it a misadventure. You can read the entire story here. In general it involved a team on road bikes lost in a rattlesnake-infested field because a trail that was supposed to be there…wasn’t.
Every adventure includes a “disaster” like this, and we actually deal with it three times.
Before it happens you can…
Worry about what you can’t control–totally wasted energy, especially since most of what you worry about won’t ever happpen anyway…OR…
Do your best to anticipate and plan–positive, active skills that actually improve improve with experience.
When it happens you can…
Complain, blame, run away…OR…
Immerse yourself in dealing with the circumstances, working together, and solving the problem.
After it happens you can…
Bemoan the inconvenience, create misery for yourself and everyone else…OR…
Celebrate the sense of accomplishment and teamwork when the obstacle was overcome.
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The approach to a single misadventure–small or large–can potentially impact an entire project.
We certainly didn’t plan it that way, but when the team got lost they pulled together, served each other, solved the problem, and laughed while they did it. And when it was done, there was no blaming or griping about the route-maker (me).
Whenever the team from FREEDOM TOUR 2013 gathers, the conversation inevitably wanders to that snake-infested field. It’s clearly one of the fond memories of the week.
What I notice–it has nothing to do with the circumstances and everything to do with the team’s response. They chose to work together and create a great memory.
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Want to create your own great memories?
We’ll be at Timberline Church the next two weekends. Stop by and visit with us or check out the web site and see how you can be part of this team.
It’s gonna be a blast.
Please leave a comment here.
