Not being good at something make me who I am today

I am going to month 3 of this no beef/fried stuff thing and I realized I have not lose much weight.  I actually had an argument... I meant a meaningful discussion with one of my good friends because she told me what I am doing isn't working and I can do so much better if I do something else to lose weight.  I had a hard time telling her that I am doing this not to lose weight, but to make a life style change (a change of habit) and as a way to support my friend that decided to stop drinking.

So effectively you can say that I am not doing a very good job because I didn't lose any weight.  But it is actually a success because I am doing what I set out to do... to not eat beef/lamb/fried stuff/regular soda/spam/bacon...etc.  I am reaching my achievable goal.  I may not be losing weight, but I am feeling the positive impact of eating better.  Something that cannot really be measure.

What's achievable goal?  To me there are achievable goals and dynamic goals.  We can always reach achievable goal but may not with our dynamic goals.  Achievable goal is something you can reach if you put in the effort.  Dynamic goal is a goal that you can work your ass off, you are very likely to get there, but you may not.

I always tell people that anyone can run a marathon.  If you put in the training (even if you don't), you can finish a marathon. I finish between 4:42 to 6:40.  Some people take a bit longer.  But it doesn't matter how long it takes you.  If you cover 26.2 miles, you finished a marathon... not matter how long it takes.

With dynamic goal things get a bit more complicated because there are different factors involved.  For example, a dynamic goal for marathon is a time goal.  There is always an uncertainty with time goal. Your mind and body is ready, but sometime things just happen and you may not reach it.  I have a time goal for Carlsbad Half Marathon every year.  My goal is to beat my previous records every time. Unfortunately I did not make the time this year because I was injured going into the race.  I did the achievable goal by finishing but I did not meet my dynamic goal. I told my coach that I was planning to walk the whole 13.1 miles if I need to. Luckily I was able to run!

Not sure what I am talking about?  Think about the school exam. You can study your ass off, but can you reach the goal of a 98% every time? Maybe not...

I think we can argue forever rather I can go faster, take better pictures, earn more money, be 175 lbs...etc.  But I don't have to, I am good at where I am and I am constantly making small progress.  I am not good at a lot of things, but I put my heart into what I do.  Because I am slow (or whatever you want to call it), I like to reach new achievable goals than going for dynamic goal.  And you know what, this has been working for me.

I was not a straight A student, but I got an entry level job. I worked my way up and became an application developer. I help Kaiser save millions of dollars by improving the rebate calculation between Kaiser and the drug manufacturers.

I am not a good photographer compare to others (like Pai). I do not know how to use my camera properly or do I know how to photoshop, but I took a lot of pictures and some of them turned out fine!

I failed my hiking navigation exam several times, but I kept at it and I passed.  My friend Bob (who's an examiner) told me he said a lot of people gave up the first time but I just kept on going at it.  That made my day.

I am a bad singer, but I sung to one person to cheer her up. I can't draw, but I drew.  Heck I can't even write, but I keep on writing about my experience and what I learn. 

I was never an athlete and I cannot run a mile nonstop in high school.  But I started hiking a few years back, then I finished my first marathon, my first Ironman, and my first 50 milers.  Now I am working on the 100 milers.

Sure I can work on getting faster on my marathon, my swim, or my triathlon, but I don't want to, at least not yet.  And I don't need to be.  I like to focus on achievable goals.  I am not very good at Ironman and ultra marathons but I finish.  And I did lot of it.  Not bad for this video gamer for finishing 4 Ironman in 13 months.  Now I just need to see if I can run a 100 miles within the cut off.  People think I am over doing it (first with marathon, then Ironman, then a 100 miles run). No, I am just reaching for achievable goals =)

I think everything work out the way they are.  I am glad that I am slow and a little fluffy so people can relate to me more than some of those super athletes that I know.  We all look up to them, but we don't know if we can be them so I think I provide a happy medium.  Every athlete accomplishments that I made, you can do them too.  You just need to believe in yourself... and ME when I try to sucker you into signing up for races.  Because I am not fast, I took advantage of that by doing longer events.  If I am not slow, I probably will not do an Ironman or training for a 100 miles.  I wouldn't get to where I am today if I am fast.  I made a lot of friends and learned a lot from others. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Instead of fighting the current (being the best of everything), I decide to swim with the current (do what I can... to suit my root and personality).

I had my dark days.  I didn't think that I was good enough for a lot of stuff.  I thought I was somehow broken.  It may take years to get over the past, but we ARE making progress everyday.  Celebrate that.  Doing an Ironman is like eating a chocolate elephant, one bite at a time... one day you will finish.  Believe in others when they give you encouragement.  More importantly, believe in yourself.  Follow what you believe and doing it with your heart, that's what it really matters.

I did all these 'crazy' things, but I couldn't get to where I am without my supportive coaches and friends.  When I was falling they pull me back up.  I couldn't get better at things if I didn't talk to Ninja.  And I became a better person thanks to this special person, the person who has Sully.
 

I passed my Navigation Exam!

Sully - I am not that good with claw machine, but if you try hard, you'll eventually get it.

I can't draw. But it doesn't matter!