An IRONMAN Triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run. It stands to reason that someone with the mental toughness and resilience to complete an IRONMAN would be able to overcome almost any obstacle in life. That’s close to the truth, argues Alex Vidal, who is the president of ERA Real Estate.
After completing more than 30 triathlons in the run-up to his monumental IRONMAN achievement, Alex has learned four lessons that remain the same whether you are disciplining yourself to devote 500 hours to training for a race or overseeing operations for more than 40,000 affiliated brokers and sales associates across 2,400 offices worldwide.
The margin between success and failure, contends Alex, is mindset.
“You can work on your mindset the same way you work on your business, the same way you work on your fitness or your nutrition,” explained Alex, who says there are four key principles the discipline of completing an IRONMAN has taught him. “First, you have to believe in yourself. As long as you believe in yourself, anything is possible.” Second, choose the right coach or mentor, one “who has accomplished what you want to accomplish” and can take the guesswork out of following your plan.
Third, have a plan. “I woke up every day knowing exactly what I needed to do,” said Alex, “and having somebody in my life who had that experience made the process easier, especially when problems arose, which they always do.” Finally, enjoy the journey, since it will be long and arduous.
Podcast listeners will get to experience the power of Alex’s motivational messages about discipline, including:
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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