I just completed my first full Ironman competition in Louisville, Kentucky and after more than a year of rigorous training, I can’t believe that it’s over. The race was in October and even though several months have passed, I can still feel that same euphoria I felt the moment my feet touched the finish line.
For those that don’t know, an Ironman is a triathlon consisting of a 3.86 kilometer swim, a 180 kilometer bike ride and a 42 kilometer run, in that consecutive order without a break.
Initially, I was going to write about my experience participating in the Ironman, how tiring it was and how much I had to push myself, the obvious inspirational piece.
But while I was writing this, I came across an article online expounding on the correlation between entrepreneurs and Ironman. I found it to be quite hilarious and ironic because most of the things the author wrote were valid.
The author mentions just how many Ironman participants he encounters in entrepreneurial circles and also claims that there may be at least 50 Ironman finishers on the Fortune 500 list.
And here I was thinking I was special! But it really made me think, what is it about Ironman that sparks entrepreneurs interest? What are the main things that the two have in common?
Here’s my take:
Ironman and entrepreneurship are all about persistence.
Persistence is integral for one of the most difficult races on Earth. No matter how hard we train, we are bound to hit a wall of self-doubt.
During the race, we may be tempted to run a bit slower due to the scorching heat or even swim less than the 160 laps because of the pool being too crowded. But becoming an Ironman is about conquering those inner demons as well as overcoming the uncertainty and ultimately, persevering until the end.
The same feelings of confusion and self-doubt tend to ring true when running a business. Maybe an amazing team member decides to suddenly resign or a trusted client severs their ties.Setbacks must be conquered. Giving up is not an option or the business is likely to suffer.
Ironman and entrepreneurship are all about efficiency.
Running a business while training for Ironman requires a lot of careful and diligent planning. There are only so many hours in a day, therefore efficiency is key and planning in advance is critical.
Prioritization breeds efficiency.
When I was training for Ironman I had to evaluate if I’m spending enough time on my core strength or if I’ve been overworking my leg muscles or if I have been neglecting cardio. This way I can determine what work is useful and what isn’t.
After that comes delegation, not only being able to identify what needs to be done and when, but also who should be doing it.
When I began training for the Ironman I thought I could do most of the preparation on my own. For instance, I thought that a nutritionist was unnecessary, and that I could at least monitor my own food intake. I quickly lost four kilograms in the span of just two weeks (a terrible sign for a triathlon participant).
This made me meet with a dietitian. Long story short, it took me a lot of time and effort to gain that weight back. Something I could have avoided had I gotten a nutritionist in the first place.
So, when I finally sought out a powerful team of professionals, such as a nutritionist and a trainer, they were able to help me avoid making any drastic mistakes in the future.
Every detail in Ironman and business must be dissected.
Ironman is a long-term goal, it is best to break it down into manageable parts and formulate a plan in order to properly execute.
It is the same concept in business. A goal without a plan is a dream and a plan without a goal is a nightmare.We all have plans, and the goal should be at the core. All goals need to be clear and SMART and also well-aligned with each other.
No matter if it’s business or Ironman, I always record where I want to be in the future, the overarching goal, and then devise a plan accordingly.
Ironman and entrepreneurship are all about discipline.
When I was training for Ironman I tried to maintain discipline even when I lacked motivation. This meant getting up every morning at 5am for a 2-hour workout on weekdays and a 6-8 hour workout on weekends.
I had to dig deep to muster the discipline to keep at it day in and day out, rain or shine, and despite the pain.
Great leadership is often synonymous with a strong sense of discipline. Being an entrepreneur is about staying determined and doing daunting tasks for the good of the company.
The ability to look at the bigger picture even in times of temptation has proven to strengthen my sense of discipline.
During my year of training, there were many times I wanted to sleep in or skip a day of exercise, but I knew that would greatly affect my chances of finishing the race.
Improvising in an unanticipated situation is vital in both triathlon and in business.
On race day, things rarely go exactly as planned, anything can happen, from getting a flat tire or losing a water bottle to ripping a wet suit. And in business, we are constantly forced to improvise.
Things never go according to plan and there are so many things that are likely to go wrong. Improvisation is second nature to seasoned entrepreneurs, it is in our DNA. And I believe it is one of the characteristics that makes for a great entrepreneur.
All in all, Ironman and entrepreneurialism have a lot in common and it’s no wonder why so many executives and businesspeople opt to join this race.
