Michael T. Burns

Over the last few weeks I have met a few unnamed heroes in my training who I can’t help but give credit.  The first was an “Older gentleman” (mid sixties?)who killed me in a bicycle training ride.  I asked him how long it takes to get good at bicycling.  His answer was instructive…”After about 4 years of consistent riding, you’ll know if it will work out for you.”  Once I picked up my jaw, I clarified that he really meant 4 (Four) years, which he did, and decided to not give up.  As I thought about the implications I determined that in most things in life I really haven’t been patient enough.

Obviously, “Long-term” means different things to different people.  If 4 years is a trial period for a sport, how long does it take if you’re going to be serious about something?  In real estate long term is at least 10 years, in biblical terms it is multiple generations, and I guess in fitness it is 4 years.  Maybe the lesson here is to simply move forward every day, and focus more on the direction you are heading than the velocity with which you are traveling.

To be continued…

“Well begun is half done” or something like that.  Starting is the hardest part.  Once you have begun in a significant manner, other people know if you are a quitter or a winnner.  I have chosen to be accountable and to become more than I have been in the past, and since I must pay a lot of money to hire an accountability “coach” or hassle a specific freind.  Instead I will let the whole world be my accountability coach.  Feel free to “Razz” me when I fail, cheer me when I succeed or chastise me if I bore you. 

Perhaps in this manner I can become the person I often wish to become.  This website will address real estate matters in Utah (with a particular focus on North Utah County), fitness and training, personal study, economics, motorcycling, religion, parenting, but most importantly it will be a candid look at a life of a fairly insignificant human being, his name is Mike. (Maybe I shouldn’t do the “Third person thing” until I am a famous athlete, businessman, or circus performer)

The motorcycles are great, but this is about establishing cycles of victory and success on a daily basis.  Sometimes even the smallest victory can begin a cycle that leads to prosperity and even greater success. 

I was fortunate enough today to experience a victory as I stuck to my plan, despite adverse conditions.  I intended to run this morning, but woke up to snow on the roads, and the white stuff still coming down.  I had a few choices:  roll over and sleep in, change plans and go to the gym, or press forward and do it.  I am glad that I chose the last option and enjoyed the fruits of the decision all day.

Here is what it looked like this morning upon returning:

By deciding to run in the cold with slush being splashed at me from passing cars, I created a small victory that spurred me on to greater achievement throughout the day.  Many great things happened today but as the victory cycle went, my greatest success was that I was able to be “up” for my family throughout the day.  It wasn’t perfect, but I was better than I have been before. 

A few ways to get into a victory cycle are:

1.  Get up when your alarm goes off, and decide you feel great

2.  Follow through on a commitment

3.  Serve someone. (start with those closest to you)

4.  Make an excuse for someone who hurts or dismisses you.

5.  “WIN” no matter how small the win.

The important thing is to be careful to continue the cycle of victory even in the face of temporary defeat.  Roll away from the instance and move on.  If you focus on the loss, you will continue to lose even more.  I suppose this is a topic for another day.

Create a “Victory cycle” on your life and move forward.