Career and leadership development are part of the design thinking process. To effectively manage change and understand the complexities of the business landscape, one needs to have an understanding of what makes you unique. Can mountain biking teach you how to navigate all life’s bumpy trails? Can it change the way you see yourself, build your confidence, and give you a better understanding of who you are? To me, the answer to all these questions is a resounding yes.
When you are in the woods with your bike, there’s no better way to learn about yourself. It’s you, the trees and the chipmunks. It’s your time. You can think about the world around you, you can challenge yourself, or you can just simply ride and enjoy the moment. No matter what your goals are going in, there’s plenty to get out of each and every ride. Here are the 20 life lessons I’ve learned from riding the single-track in my area:
1. Map out your strategy: Find the path with the fewest obstacles and bumps. But also understand that sometimes, in order to get where you’re going, you have to clear the rough stuff first.
2. Set goals: Keep your eyes down the trail, not fixed on your front tire. Instead of staring at the most immediate obstacles, focus on where you want to go.
3. Take risks: Feeling anxious and nervous before riding over a technical or challenging section is natural, but there is a great feeling of accomplishment waiting for you at the end.
4. Know your limitations: Ride hard, but it’s okay to get off the bike and walk sometimes.
5. Seek feedback: You will learn more if you ride with riders who are better than you. Mentor other riders when you have the chance.
6. Leverage the collective knowledge: Find the local riding group and learn from its members.
7. Celebrate small successes: Work through the smaller obstacles and gradually build up to larger challenges.
8. Accept both the good and bad days: Some days you really feel the flow on the trails, but sometimes no matter what you do, you feel slow and plodding. But that’s okay because any day riding the trails is a good day.
9. Technology is just a tool: Your bike will help your ride better, but technique, tenacity and perseverance are what make the rider.
10. Embrace change: Use your bike to navigate an ever-changing terrain. Be flexible and adaptable.
11. Work for your accomplishments: You have to go uphill for the downhill fun.
12. Confidence is everything: Summit a steep hill or clear a technical section; achieving your goals builds confidence.
13. Embrace new opportunities: Take a different route or try something different. Mix it up. It makes the ride more interesting and challenging.
14. Realize that the best path isn’t always the most direct one: Switchbacks seem like the long way up the hill, but they’re easier than biking straight up it.
15. Practice, practice, practice: Ride, ride, ride. Practice makes everything more comfortable.
16. Expect the unexpected: Crashes happen.
17. Take advantage of opportunities as they arise: Ride when you can. You never know if or when your ride window will close.
18. Take care of the planet: Respect the trail and respect the earth.
19. Control your momentum and you can clear almost any obstacle: The wheels are round and will go over anything.
20. Bring it all together: Enjoy every minute and keep the rubber side down.