Recently while mountain biking we came across a pump track; a
continuous circuit of small dirt hills and jumps that loops back on itself,
allowing you to ride it continuously. A couple of teenagers took the time to
explain how to use it and teach us a few lessons. The key they said was momentum.
As an analogy, riding
a pump track teaches you three critical skills that can benefit you in tangible
ways in your business.
Successfully navigating a pump track means that you:
- built momentum and are moving through the ups and downs effectively. This takes a lot of self control and management to do. This is achieved through training, practice and making mistakes. Having momentum is critical to your success. It means that you are moving along in your business with a driving power or strength. Focus is key.
- are looking ahead and know your line. This is critical in mountain biking as you need to know where you want to go not where you are. Looking several steps ahead in any business is important. It means that you have keeping an eye on critical business impact zones. Knowing your line is another story. That is not always as easy to determine. On a pump track as you are moving with momentum critical decisions need to be made at a wink of an eye that will spell out your success or failure. Knowing your line means you are picking a course of action and committing to it before you arrive. Success is dependent on you picking the best course of action.
- created a handling form, allowing you to see interesting choices that might not be as obvious as you get fully engaged and committed to the process. There is a use of the tools and technology in the process, people have to support you and there are measurable outcomes. Individuals and teams become fully engaged when riding a pump track. Whether you are the rider or team member lending a hand, giving advice, maintaining the environment and ensuring that everything is functioning well. It takes a team to make the pump track experience a success. Just like in your business.
