Preparing for a race, sporting event or competition is much like making a commitment to any long-term goal or project. You look at how the event, project or initiative fits into your overall life/business plan, how it will advance your personal goals, how it will impact others. You identify the tools and resources you'll need to be successful as well as the sacrifices and trade-offs you may need to make along the way. And you think about who you can call on to be part of your team: the coaches and advisers you will need to consult; the teammates who will help you see your potential and not so gently push you through the tough times; the close confidants with whom you can share your concerns and fear of failure.
With a mixture of excitement, apprehension and realism you look ahead to the end, the final project deadline, race day. You try to plan for the unexpected: for possible injuries, unplanned time away from work; some of your teammates may not be available, staff members will inevitably disappoint you; market conditions may change, bad weather may impact your training schedule; you'll have equipment failures, suppliers and partners may change or go out of business.
You evaluate the risks as well as the opportunities, plan for success while also contemplating the possibility of failure; you analyze, plan, review and adjust and plan again. But in the end your instincts tell you that you've done as much as you can and it's time to start training, launch your project, push ahead. And even with all your preparation and planning, your excitement of taking on a major goal, that commitment can still be scary as hell. But like all successful people - athletes and executives alike - you believe with certainly that there is nothing that can't be accomplished.
