One of our favorite summer activities is cycling. It’s one of the cheap activities we were able to do together when we decided to buckle down and pay off our mortgage in 2 ½ years. It turns out we’re both pretty good and it’s not all that cheap anymore.
Like paying down a mortgage, staying fit as you age requires discipline. In both cases, discipline equals freedom. Here are a few more lessons I learned while straddling the saddle of my bike.
1 – The Resistance Makes you Stronger
Strong winds will slow you down and sap your energy. But the resistance is one of the best ways to get stronger.
This was one of the windiest summers ever. Anyone who has tried to bike or paddle a canoe against the wind knows the struggle. You use all your strength and feel like you are barely moving.
This is true in our lives as well. We all go through periods of loss, unwelcome change and struggles. You feel like giving up and pray that the problem will end.
The only thing you can do is keep pedaling. Eventually, the wind will be at your back and you’ll be faster because of the strength you built up. As you face challenges in your life (and on the bike path) remember that the resistance is making you stronger.
2 – You Gotta Get Uncomfortable
If you want to get better, you’re going to be uncomfortable.
If you want to get faster, you will probably look like an idiot while sprinting. If you want to learn a new skill, you are going to make mistakes. It’s uncomfortable taking risks. But that’s how we learn and grow.
Embrace the discomfort. Know that it’s necessary on your path to awesome.
3 – Communication is Everything
While riding your bike, nothing can help ensure your safety like communication. Calling out while passing and signaling at stops and turns, keeps you safe and makes your ride more enjoyable.
The same is true in life. Disagreements and hurt feelings are caused by lack of communication. Take a tip from a cyclist and be direct about what you are doing and where you are going. Proper communication will guarantee a more enjoyable ride through life.
In honor of my cycling buddy who challenges me to take action, I am going to challenge you. Pick one of the 3 lessons to focus on for the remainder of the week.
- Push through the resistance.
- Get uncomfortable.
- Communicate your direction.
As an introvert who married an extrovert, I’m going to focus on communicating. Even though it’s uncomfortable to always communicate what I’m up to, it helps Jer to feel that we’re working as a team.
Which of the three lesson will you focus on and why?
Excellent advice! The simplicity of bicycle travel provides time to reflect and consider the beauty in one’s surroundings. So many lessons come to light in that perfect setting. How many people miss out because they can’t tolerate resistance or discomfort? Instead, they’re stuck in front of the television, computer, or phone while life passes them by.
Well said, Tim. Thank you for adding to the conversation.