How committed are you to winning?
It’s a question I’ve asked thousands of business leaders. The overwhelming response – unsurprisingly – is “100% committed”, “totally committed”, “all in”.
I’ll let you in on a secret: most leaders aren’t as committed as they think they are.
Yuichiro Miura is commitment. Back in the 1970’s he famously became “The Man Who Skied Down Everest” and had a film made about his exploit. Not content to bask in his success, Miura looked for a new challenge and, at the age of 70, became the oldest person to summit Mt. Everest.
Then, two heart operations followed by a shattered pelvis from a ski accident. It was time to wind things down.
But not for Miura. In 2013, at the age of 80, he summitted Everest again!
So what makes him so committed?
“The key to living life to the fullest is to have a big challenge. The bigger your goals and dreams are, the more you will be filled with what in Japan we call ikigai, or purpose in life.”
Now 84, Miura is finally ready to rest and look back at his accomplishments.
You weren’t going to buy that, were you? Here’s Miura’s new goal: to become the first person to summit Everest at the age of 90. Ninety!
What artificial limits have you placed on yourself? What excuses have you allowed yourself? One more time: How committed are you to winning?
Answer: Not as committed as you thought you were. But you need to be.
If an 80-year-old man can summit Mt. Everest, then what’s your excuse?
Make it happen.
Michael
The Mindset of Those who are Intensely Committed
