I have been reading a business book in the hopes of expanding my knowledge beyond the boards. It’s called the 10X Rule by Grant Cardone and it was recommended to me by a genius business friend. I wasn’t sure that I was going to plop down the 30 bucks to buy it, so I went to the book store to have a look. I am one of those people who likes the feel of books and the look of a book jacket. I also like to open a book to see if anything jumps out at me. My own version of a book ‘test drive’.
This time the words jumped out at me in a big way! I am paraphrasing, but Cardone’s words resonated very strongly with me and this was the first idea I saw when I opened his book: don’t set realistic goals, because a realistic life will happen to you anyway. Wow.
It started me thinking of the skaters I have known whose personal philosophies have embodied this principle. Adam Rippon could have given up on the other 2 occasions he didn’t make the Olympic team, but he didn’t. Look what happened – Adam Rippon’s name is on the tip of the world’s tongue.
I once told Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue a couple of years ago that I thought they should win the title for most improved dance team. They have come such a long way to the point where any conversation about the world’s top dance teams cannot happen without mentioning their names.
Poised, articulate and deeply committed to their art of ice dancing, have a listen to what they say in this post-skate interview from the World Figure Skating Championships in Milan in March 2018.
Then, with your appetite teased for more, have a listen to the podcast they recorded with me in a corner of the media room during that same event which I will post as soon as I can figure out how! 😉 They are wonderful.
For more information on Madison and Zachary, follow them on Twitter @MadiHubbell and @ZachTDonohue
Thanks to everyone who joined in for my Facebook Live on Wednesday! We’re going to do it all over again this Wednesday at 7pm ET on my Pj Kwong (author) page. Looking forward to more great conversation! Please follow me on Twitter @skatingpj and subscribe to my YouTube channel here. Have a great week!