The Art of Ironman Success

How can we create certainty in an uncertain environment? Will we let defeat stop us or will we use it as feedback for change that will bring about ultimate victory? Where will we draw strength from when we want to quit? Are we the person our dreams demand us to be to achieve them?

These were some of the many difficult questions Mark had to answer in his 7-year journey from defeat to ultimate victory at the Ironman Triathlon. Accompanied by compelling race footage, Mark's stories incorporate strategies for dealing with change and unexpected challenge, how to come back when success seems impossible, and most certainly the importance of doing the work required of becoming a champion.

The Art of Ironman Success - Key Points

Mark breaks his talk into three simple yet powerful points: Clarify, Adjust, and Complete. These are the core strategies that make up The Art of Ironman Success. If any of these three key elements had been missing in his pursuit of the Ironman title, he would not have won.

These Action Items were all missing from Mark's approach to his first 6 Ironman races. Instead of creating success, he let all of the factors outside of his control defeat him: the heat, the wind, and his other competitors. He had not asked the Tough Questions of Clarify, Adjust, and Complete that make these principles so effective. His results showed…six defeats, all short of his dream.

In 1989, Mark was ready to give up and focus on other races where he was more successful and more comfortable. Close to giving up on his ultimate dream, Mark asked the tough questions. He saw that his work strategy was undoubtedly not effective and came up with the adjustments needed to make his dream a reality. He saw that he was not the person that could win the Ironman and put the steps into place to become that person. And he saw that indulging in disappointment was not an effective strategy for bringing about success.

Instead, he changed his focus with a commitment to completion that could only be realized by doing the work and going back until he had his best race. These answers provided the missing elements needed for success. They also gave him the strength to go back one more time even though victory seemed impossible. Armed with renewed inspiration, a clear strategy, and a full season of doing the right kind of work Mark completed his dream in 1989 of winning the first of six Ironman World Championships.

The Art of Ironman Success - Action Items

Clarify- Insight before Action
The Goal. Where am I going?
The Work. What core steps will take me there?
The Progress. How will I gauge it?

Adjust- Develop Effectiveness
Your Approach. Refine based on feedback.
Your Core Steps. Add elements as experience dictates.
Your Self. Become the person your goal demands you be to achieve it.

Complete- Do the Work
With Consistency. Commit beyond comfort.
With Flexibility. Use feedback to guide adjustments.
With Insight. Ask the tough questions.

The Art of Ironman Success - The Tough Questions

Clarify-
Is my work missing any essential elements?
Have I become the person my goal demands?
There is no failure, only feedback.

Adjust-
Am I using feedback to adjust or as an excuse for failure?
What is within my control that needs to change?
Do I want to be right or effective?

Complete-
What am I doing right now to complete my goal?
Where will I draw strength to continue when I want to give up?

No Work = No Results