Sunday's running of the Indianapolis 500 had a dramatic and improbable finish: heartbreaking for rookie J.R. Hildebrand, who crashed just yards away from the finish line in a miscalculated move: humbling yet victorious for Brit Dan Wheldon, who steered past Hildebrand to take the checkered flag.
Wheldon, winner of the 100th anniversary if this historic race, is once again unemployed. He had won the Indy 500 once before, but in the competitive, big money, sponsor-driven world of professional racing that was not enough. He didn't have a fulltime "ride"; the car and team he took to victory lane was a one-off, part-time commitment. So while he has proven himself once again, he will now have to find a new gig, a committed sponsor, a full-time employer.
What is useful to learn from his experience is that he never gave up hope of racing again, of doing what he loved, of experiencing success one more time. He did what many professionals who need to be actively managing careers should be doing:
- Understanding what you do well and like to do
- Staying engaged in your field of expertise - even if it is only on a part-time basis
- Building your own "success team" who will help you over the rough spots and cheer you on
- Unconditionally believing in yourself
Dan Wheldon may not have another full-time ride for awhile - maybe not ever again - but his spirit of perseverance, commitment to his craft and gratitude for his success will keep him resilient wherever his career takes him.
We could all do well to learn from his example.
