by Bob Choat
I read the story of 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura of Japan who scaled to
the top of Mt. Everest, breaking the record of the oldest person ever
to do so. He had previous climbs at the age of 70 and 75. It is obvious
that he continues to challenge himself throughout his life and not
letting age hinder him. Last year, 73-year-old Tamae Watanabe broke the
record as the oldest female to do the same.
Life is meant to be challenged. It’s not about stopping when you
reach a certain age either. In yesterday’s block I mentioned T. Boone
Pickens who sold one company at 68 and started another one afterwards.
Today he is 85 and still going strong through business challenges.
At all stages of life one should look for challenges. The martial
arts teaches that through the challenges of striving for each belt level
will growth occur. I learned this lesson early on and continue to do so
today. Parkour is my latest endeavor in physical challenges and my
seminar/publishing business is another challenge.
Speaking of challenges, my business partner and friend, Dr. Lori
Shemek, is challenging herself in the speaking arena. In fact, she will
be speaking at the 92Y in New York City, June 18, 2013. She will be on
the same stage that many top dignitaries spoke. Former President Bill
Clinton spoke there. Colin Powell spoke there. Lori’s uncle, Alan J.
Lerner, spoke there. And now she will too in front of an estimated 900
people. She’s never even done anything remotely like this (even though
she’s spoken a number of times) and has accepted taking it on.
It matters not where you’re at right now in life. It’s what you’re
planning on doing for tomorrow while working hard to make it happen now.
Setting goals should be challenging. If you make them too easy, then it
has no meaning. I don’t believe in easy goals. Sure, you should have
milestones along the way to the big challenging goal, that’s fine. If
you’re morbidly obese and looking to lose weight, then set a big goal of
losing a lot. And lot could be 200 pounds or more.
Whatever challenges you engage in, keep making them your whole life.
Never settle for average. Never make them easy. You were meant for way
more. Challenge yourself now, tomorrow and all the way to the end of
your life. And have fun doing it.
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