Type A Personality
Monday, December 31, 2007
Here is another chapter outline in the soon to be best seller, SALES 140.6: I have a type A personality. There is no denying it. To make matters worse, I have the obsessive compulsive behavior to go along with it. Hey, it is what it is. I am an intense individual that likes living life to the fullest. I have been like this for as long as I can remember.
There is nothing overly unusual about being driven. In fact, most of the people that I surround myself with are the same way. I guess it’s true what they say about birds of a feather flocking together. All of us know what it takes to achieve our goals and are focused on getting there. We also like to have a little fun along the way. Triathlons are perfect for those of us marked by this temperament. There is a ton to obsess over. To start with, there are three disciplines wrapped into one sport. As if swimming, biking and running aren’t difficult enough individually, you have to figure out how to put them all together. Think that this is easy? Try running 5 miles after biking 60 and tell me how your legs feel! Most of us train six days a week. We get up before the cock crows and go to sleep before the late news airs on television. You can find us at the gym during our lunch hours and if you engage us in conversation we will be able to describe in great detail the various heart rate zones that we utilize, our daily caloric intake and the benefits of liquid calories vs. solid calories on the bike. Terms like PRs, Aero Bars, Bento Boxes and half splits are part of our everyday vernacular even though they sound like a foreign language to most. When we invite you over for dinner be sure to bring your own beer because all we have to drink in the refrigerator is water and Gatorade. Also, don’t be surprised when we cut the evening short because we have to get up early the next morning to train. You either understand this behavior or you don’t. I will admit that from the outside looking in it is probably pretty nuts. Triathletes and those in the military services are the only ones that can truly claim that they do more before 9am then most people do in an entire day. For a type A person like myself, this is the only way to live.
I started doing triathlons as a way to stay in shape. I kept doing triathlons because the training became my social life. It is now a lifestyle for me. I love being known as a triathlete. Just as the term “sales guy” conjours up certain images so does “triathlete.” Which one would you rather be known as? Triathletes are respected for their willingness to put everything on the line in search of finding success along the way. They are recognized for their strength, focus and incredible work ethic. They don’t let anything stand in the way of their goals and the dividend they reap by crossing each finish line is paid out tenfold. The Ironman distance is the Holy Grail of the triathlon world. Those that attempt this feat are revered for their dedication. They are part of an elite fraternity. Their reputation precedes them wherever they go (even if they are not wearing their finisher’s medal.) People know that the individuals that make this major accomplishment are truly special. As the clouds darkened over the waters of Lake Monona, I realized that signing up to do next year’s Ironman would be a huge endeavor with enormous ramifications. Would this be more than I was capable of handling? Probably, but, what else would you expect from a type A person?
There is nothing overly unusual about being driven. In fact, most of the people that I surround myself with are the same way. I guess it’s true what they say about birds of a feather flocking together. All of us know what it takes to achieve our goals and are focused on getting there. We also like to have a little fun along the way. Triathlons are perfect for those of us marked by this temperament. There is a ton to obsess over. To start with, there are three disciplines wrapped into one sport. As if swimming, biking and running aren’t difficult enough individually, you have to figure out how to put them all together. Think that this is easy? Try running 5 miles after biking 60 and tell me how your legs feel! Most of us train six days a week. We get up before the cock crows and go to sleep before the late news airs on television. You can find us at the gym during our lunch hours and if you engage us in conversation we will be able to describe in great detail the various heart rate zones that we utilize, our daily caloric intake and the benefits of liquid calories vs. solid calories on the bike. Terms like PRs, Aero Bars, Bento Boxes and half splits are part of our everyday vernacular even though they sound like a foreign language to most. When we invite you over for dinner be sure to bring your own beer because all we have to drink in the refrigerator is water and Gatorade. Also, don’t be surprised when we cut the evening short because we have to get up early the next morning to train. You either understand this behavior or you don’t. I will admit that from the outside looking in it is probably pretty nuts. Triathletes and those in the military services are the only ones that can truly claim that they do more before 9am then most people do in an entire day. For a type A person like myself, this is the only way to live.
I started doing triathlons as a way to stay in shape. I kept doing triathlons because the training became my social life. It is now a lifestyle for me. I love being known as a triathlete. Just as the term “sales guy” conjours up certain images so does “triathlete.” Which one would you rather be known as? Triathletes are respected for their willingness to put everything on the line in search of finding success along the way. They are recognized for their strength, focus and incredible work ethic. They don’t let anything stand in the way of their goals and the dividend they reap by crossing each finish line is paid out tenfold. The Ironman distance is the Holy Grail of the triathlon world. Those that attempt this feat are revered for their dedication. They are part of an elite fraternity. Their reputation precedes them wherever they go (even if they are not wearing their finisher’s medal.) People know that the individuals that make this major accomplishment are truly special. As the clouds darkened over the waters of Lake Monona, I realized that signing up to do next year’s Ironman would be a huge endeavor with enormous ramifications. Would this be more than I was capable of handling? Probably, but, what else would you expect from a type A person?
SALES LESSONS TO BE DISCUSSED...
Who do you surround yourself with?
What is your reputation?
What do people think when they look at you?
What do you want to be known for?
