Move Your Ass Tracy! The Bears Game Is On TV
Thursday, December 27, 2007
SALES 140.6
Chapter 3: Move Your Ass Tracy! The Bears Game Is On TV
Marathons are great places for spectators to exude positive energy. Whenever I’m running a race, I take the time to soak up the atmosphere provided by all of the supporters. During the 2004 Chicago Marathon, I behaved like an adrenaline junkie fueled by the enormous crowd. Many had signs that urged participants forward. I tried to read as many inspirational posters as possible since reading took my mind off of the pounding my body was enduring.
To ensure that I received as much personal support as possible, I had written Jack’s Dad in magic marker on my t-shirt. Complete strangers were able to address their cheers for me at every turn. Go Jack’s Dad! was screamed so much that my running partner almost dropped back in an attempt to avoid hearing this phrase another time. I didn’t care though, the encouragement was tremendous.
In between mile 17 and 18 a man was sitting in a lounge chair on the sidewalk. He was in a robe and was enjoying a beer and a cigar. He sported the best sign of the day: Move Your Ass Tracy! The Bears Game Is On TV. A smile came across my face as I envisioned his lovely wife, who had probably trained for a year, coming upon this sign. And I thought to myself, this guy knows how to motivate! Not!
The core message included in this Chapter is support – the ability to motivate others is essential in the workplace. The discussion surrounding the anecdote addresses:
the importance of creating a positive atmosphere
need for positive re-enforcement
the damage negative morale can inflict
