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A lesson from my cycling trip to help you build your own practice

23rd Oct 2015
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You’re already doing a demanding job, with long hours and high expectations. How on earth are you going to be able to build a partner-sized client portfolio on top of everything else?  If you feel this is asking the impossible - don’t despair, you are not alone!  However, there are ways to make the impossible possible, and my recent struggles on a cycling trip can show you the way.

 I was reaching the end of an exhausting 10 mile bike ride over hilly, rough terrain.  Before home, I knew there was the “hill of doom” to conquer.  As it came nearer and nearer, I formed a plan: I would build momentum to get me up the first part of the hill, and then gritted teeth and determination would get me up the rest of it.  I was not going to be beaten!  Jaw set, I raced towards the lower slopes and then - disaster! I missed the turning and had to screech to a stop.  Yes, I was heading completely the wrong way. I had to turn round and pedal slowly back to the path I should have taken.

 The hill loomed over me, looking even bigger and more menacing than before. Without the glorious speed I had built up, it really felt like an impossible challenge.  Slowly, painfully, I started to pedal up the steep slope.  I’ll be honest with you, I struggled. Sometimes I even wondered if I was going backwards!   I knew that I wasn’t going to succeed. 

 What choices did I have? I could continue to pedal to move forward a few centimetres at a time, if that, and possibly kill myself in the attempt. I could give up and go home for a relaxing bath and a glass of wine.  Or I could get off my bike and jolly well push it to the top of the hill!

 That’s what I did.  One hill conquered. Perhaps not in the way I had originally planned, but I was still on top of it, and that’s what counted.

 So, how do my health and fitness struggles make it easier for you to build a partner-sized client portfolio?

 Well, my “hill of doom” is like the challenge you face to build your own practice when you are already exhausted by what you do.

 The best way of tackling any challenge is to have a plan for how you will go about it.  Having a plan gives you confidence, and that’s a key to success.

 Cycling up my hill would have been easier if I hadn’t missed the turning and been forced to try from a standing start. Momentum can carry you a long way, on bikes and in careers.

 Any huge task is easier when it’s broken down into little pieces - I’ll cycle until that next tree, or I can stop at that boulder, or I’ll connect with 5 new people at next week’s conference.

 Setbacks aren’t endings.  You’ll get them, just as I missed my turning.  They are not a reason to give up. The sooner you get back in the saddle, the less confidence and determination will be lost.

 Finally - if your plan doesn’t come off. There are always alternatives!

 This post originally appeared in a different form on the How To Make Partner website.

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