What’s the hardest part of taking a long extended bike/trike tour?
Some may think of the soreness, others might think it’s being able to take the time off. Still others will mention the cost that will be incurred. Hopefully, many will also think about the loved ones and relationships that cannot accompany them on the trip.
Having lived a few moons now, I like to think that I’ve garnered a little wisdom to go along with the aging body. I think a tour is no different than anything else we set our mind to. Those things we value most usually come with the highest price. So how can we make these dreams a realization.
Having a clear goal, a well defined “why” and a set of core values are all indispensable for any endeavor you undertake. And the glue that holds these together is your mind – where most things in this life are won or lost.
In that place you share with no one else, you have to determine what it is you really want. This goal can be riding across the US, hiking the Appalachian trail, or climbing Machu Picchu. You can like many things and may eventually do them all, but if you truly want to reach your goal, you need to have complete clarity on what it is you most desire and focus on that.
It’s not good enough to have a clear goal alone, you need to understand “why” it is your goal. You’re going to be investing a lot of energy, time and money and you need to know the purpose. Purpose can overcome many obstacles, real or imagined, from within or without. A clear ‘why’ can keep your eyes on the goal and help you achieve small steps that can move you forward to eventually achieving your goal.
Finally, your values are the guildelines by which you’ll accomplish your feat and make it the valuable rich and rewarding experience it should be. They can keep you from taking shortcuts, help you to persist and even pick you up when you fail and help you back on the path you want to be on.
I think that for many that fail, give up or have never tried – they did not have a fixed goal in mind and/or did not have a clear purpose and/or did not have a strong enough set of values that they could depend on.
So, while this is totally uncomfortable, I’ll try to be totally transparent.
My Goal:
Make a cross country ride with my father
My Why:
The two of us aren’t getting any younger and one day we will no longer have the ability to talk this side of heaven. The walks I took with my father as a child are some of my best memories but I was a child. There are many things I want to ask and things I want to learn about him, our family, and even myself.
My Values:
- There are no quick and easy shortcuts.
- Health – I need to work at losing weight
- Freedom – I need to be without debt
- Financial – Our family needs to live on one income
- Relationship – I need to do whatever is necessary to know my wife is OK while I’m away
- Personal – I need to learn to be at peace not having a job to go to in the morning, to be in the moment
- Priorities – I want to give up what I can’t keep to gain what I can’t lose
Comments
One response to “Making it happen”
Chuck…..This is an awesome post…..very insightful…..very true. I wish you all the best in you ride and your new life. It has been an honor to get to know you.
DR