Is first place the only way to get to where you're going? - Seth Godin (Fri 15 Aug 2014)

National Champions (photo taken by Jenny) - and sometimes when you least expect it, you do come first!! - Geoff (*) - 2006 AusDBF National Dragon Boat Champs - Nagambie (*) (Sun 16 April 2006)
From yesterdays post (*), Seth Godin (*) asks:

Is first place the only way to get to where you're going?

A very good question.

And I know of one response (*) through experience (*).

More specifically, from an earlier post (*)..

Julia Ryall (*) writes On Performance (*) and Expectation (*) amongst other things:

Performance (*) is not about crossing the line first, it is about having great plan, the right preparation (*), the ability to execute the plan (*) well on the day, realistic expectations (*) and an ability to celebrate (*) the performance rather than the placing.

via PDdb - DB Paddling Update: The ultimate performance is a greater reward than first place by Julia Ryall (*).

Written, what now seems so long ago, but still so right and relevant. Almost six years on, and so many amazing experiences (*) in between, these words makes much more sense now than they did back then.

And even more so now. Thanks Julia.

On Leadership and Influence - Tim Elmore (Fri 05 Oct 2012)

Untitled - Kawana (*) (Thu 17 Apr 2014)
Tim Elmore (*) writes On Leadership (*) and Influence (*):

every[one] who is willing has the potential (*) to lead (*) and influence (*) others [..]

every one of us, even the shy ones, are influencing (*) others.

So Tim (*) asks:

what breadth of influence (*) could people have who become intentional (*) about it?

via Is Everyone a Leader? (*) by Tim Elmore (*).

Reminds me of this Post (*), which has provided me with the knowledge, confidence and intention of influencing (*) others in a positive way, where I can within my limited abilities. After all, as Tim states:

We all have the responsibility (*) to do what we can—based upon our strengths.

I know it works. Thanks Tim.

On the Challenge of Change - Viktor Frankl via Vernon Gambetta (Sun 27 Apr 2014)

Pacific Dragons - Premier Mixed 2km - 2014 AusDBF Nationals - Kawana (Fri 18 Apr 2014)
Viktor E Frankl (*) writes challenge (*) of unavoidable change (*):

When we are no longer able to change (*) a situation, we are challenged (*) to change ourselves.

via Some Random Thoughts on Sports, Coaching and Life (*) by Vernon Gambetta (*).

Had to face a few unavoidable changes in my time, and this is a brilliant summary of the only to move forward, even if there a few steps back.

The thing to remember is to keep moving forward (*)

On Performance - Julia Ryall / PDdb (Tue 04 Nov 2008)

Pacific Dragons - 500m Premier Mixed Final - 2014 AusDBF Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (Sat 19 Apr 2014)
Julia Ryall (*) writes On Performance (*) and Expectation (*) amongst other things:

Performance (*) is not about crossing the line first, it is about having great plan, the right preparation (*), the ability to execute the plan (*) well on the day, realistic expectations (*) and an ability to celebrate (*) the performance rather than the placing.

via PDdb - DB Paddling Update: The ultimate performance is a greater reward than first place by Julia Ryall (*).

Written, what now seems so long ago, but still so right and relevant. Almost six years on, and so many amazing experiences (*) in between, these words makes much more sense now than they did back then.

Pacific Dragons - 2009 AusDBF Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (Sun 26 Apr 2009)

Pacific Dragons (*) - 2009 AusDBF (*) Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (*) (Sun 26 Apr 2009)
(l-b-f-r) Geoff, Graeme, Kaizer, Norm, Lisa, Christian, Darren, Adam, Mark, Todd, Jo, Dave, Matt, Helen, Jenny, Gav, John, Eugene, Kristen, Christoph, PaulC, Mandy, Julia, Craig, Dean, Phil, Toby, Andrew, Shell, Becky, Jo, Bonny, Mel, Kath, Phil, Charlotte, Nicola, Lucy, Di, Dave, Leesa, Rachel, Michelle, PaulS, Suzy, Amanda, Linda, Annett, Billy
Five years have passed and we have come full circle. Jenny (*) was with us last time and I shed a few small tears as I watched the PD Girls, paddling two short and Jo drumming, cross the line second in the Women's 500m Final. In my heart I felt her presence in one of the seats left spare for her and I knew she was there with them, making the impossible possible (*) yet again.

Lots of new faces but still a few of us who paddle on. Thanks to all.

Pacific Dragons (*) - 2014 AusDBF (*) Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (*) (Sat 19 Apr 2014)
Kerry Davenport,
Jasmin Keick, Kathleen Burrows, Annett Happich, Nicola Frowen, Catherine Gale, Laurette Ah Jack, Amanda Wyllie, Rachel Giang, Dianne Morgan, Rebecca Oately, Kylie Haskins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Caitlin Moffat, Jane Hill, Elizabeth Cowen, Emma Walsh, Alison Linn, Daniella Storm, Greg Oatley, Eugene Lee, Geoff Eldridge, Gavin Godfrey, Matt Spies, Paul Wilkins, Craig Stewart, Christian Happich, Stuart Young, Graeme Bacon, Albert Au, Paul Smith, Kaizer Austin, Paul Cooke, Ivan Sanchez, Tim Vose, Peter McAllister, Tony Pound

Pacific Dragons - 2014 AusDBF Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (Sat 19 Apr 2014)

Pacific Dragons (*) - 2014 AusDBF (*) Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (*) (Sat 19 Apr 2014)
Kerry Davenport,
Jasmin Keick, Kathleen Burrows, Annett Happich, Nicola Frowen, Catherine Gale, Laurette Ah Jack, Amanda Wyllie, Rachel Giang, Dianne Morgan, Rebecca Oately, Kylie Haskins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Caitlin Moffat, Jane Hill, Elizabeth Cowen, Emma Walsh, Alison Linn, Daniella Storm, Greg Oatley, Eugene Lee, Geoff Eldridge, Gavin Godfrey, Matt Spies, Paul Wilkins, Craig Stewart, Christian Happich, Stuart Young, Graeme Bacon, Albert Au, Paul Smith, Kaizer Austin, Paul Cooke, Ivan Sanchez, Tim Vose, Peter McAllister, Tony Pound

On Leadership - David Foster Wallace / Dan Coyle (Wed 16 Apr 2014)

Julia and Gav - my dragon boat coaches - Kawana (*) - 2009 AusDBF Nationals (Sat 24 Apr 2009)
David Foster Wallace (*) writes On Leadership (*):

Deep down, you almost always like how a real leader (*) makes you feel, the way you find yourself working harder and pushing yourself and thinking in ways you couldn’t ever get to on your own.

via 3 Simple Things Great Teachers Do (*) by Dan Coyle (*).

Two people who have believed (*) in me right from the very start when I thought there was nothing to believe in. And who pushed and challenged me to be more than I thought I could have ever been as a paddler and a person. They have given me so much and I am forever appreciative for that.

NSW State Dragon Boat Squad - Post Racing - AusDBF Nats 2009 / Kawana (Thu 23 Apr 2009)

NSW State Dragon Boat Squad - Post Racing - AusDBF Nats 2009 / Kawana - Thu 23 Apr 2009