I’m definitely of the opinion that we should strive to be the best person that we can possibly be….but sometimes making comparisons to your “best self” can have negative results.

When I was around 14 years old, I spent a lot of my summers playing golf.  My friends and I would bike over to the course and play a round almost every week day and as far as I can remember, it was a lot of fun (especially the freedom of getting there on our own).  I don’t have a lot of specific memories about that time in my life, but I can remember having spells of frustration when my performance on the golf course was not as good as my best rounds.  Yes, I even remember a few instances of chucking my golf club up in the air.

If I could go back there and give that aggravated little kid some advice, I would tell him to keep doing his best…..and not get hung up on matching the results of the best game he ever played. Along the way I have learned that I’m not always going to perform as good or better at the things that I do, and to just continue moving in a positive and forward direction.  Sure there will be bad days (and going half  mad days), but continually comparing them to the best day ever is a definite recipe for disaster.

The Journey is the Destination

I don’t golf any more, but I do ride a bike….and my approach now is so much different from what it was. Maybe it’s because I love cycling much more than I loved golf, I’m not sure.  But even on the days where my performance is not quite where I know it could be, I always arrive home feeling great and being so thankful for the ride I just had.

For any of you who are making a comeback to cycling after a period of time away from it, I want you to consider this piece of advice.  Focus on the fact that you’re making the positive choice of getting back on the bike and all the goodness it will bring you.  Don’t worry about being as great as you once were…use it as your goal, and just relax in the fact that you will get there.  Oh, and one more piece of advice…..I encourage you to have a listen to a recent podcast that we did over at Cycling 360 which talks about making a comeback to cycling.  It’s full of great tips and advice for any of you coming back to a love for the bike.

Cycling 360 Podcast: Making a Comeback to Cycling