Make it Happen Monday: Going Pro
Today’s post is a collaborative effort with my friend Victor from Bicycle Lab. In our Cycling 360 podcasts, I call him “The Guru” and it’s for good reason….this dude knows absolutely everything about the bike. So for Make it Happen Monday, we’re here to tell you about Going Pro…in all areas of your life.
Going Pro
by Victor and Darryl
I was recently having a conversation with Victor about some of the life/career changes I was going to be making in my life and he replied saying that it was about time I went “Pro”. Immediately, I liked the way it came across and I wanted to know more about what he meant by this….better yet, I told him that we should do a blog post about the concept.
To become a professional cyclist, a rider has to make an incredible commitment and expend a great deal of sacrifice in order to chase their passion. It’s a tough and dangerous sport, and it takes a toll on your body and family….and completely consumes your life.
The same can be said of pretty much anything in life. Going Pro is big stuff and it will be the most difficult, yet simple thing you can possibly do. When we say “Going Pro” we don’t mean in the sense of getting paid to do what it is you want to do (although you will if you turn pro). We’re talking about following your dreams with the commitment and passion that it deserves.
To be a professional cyclist you need to show up every day, rain or shine, good mood or bad. Day in, day out you need to do the following:
- Listen to teachers and mentors and be a leader to others.
- Strength training, stretching, and even learn about nutrition and so many other aspects of health and fitness.
- Learn to care for your machine and understand how it works so that you don’t miss a day at the office.
- Market yourself and build long term relationships with those that can support your dream.
- Learn to get back on your bike after a crash.
- Be humble.
Yes, you have to be Pro at every single aspect.
A metaphor for life:
Joseph Campbell said it best. “Follow your bliss”, which we translate to Going Pro.
You can be a pro cyclist, an artist, or entrepreneur. It’s really all just a mindset. It comes down to fully committing and taking that big step. Learn everything you can and dive in head first throw up the biggest cannonball spray you possibly can. Whether it’s Going Pro as a cyclist, or in a new business venture you’ve had your mind on, you need to be sure you show up as if your life and livelihood depended on it…..because it does.
Going Pro means you’re making your own decision to live your life on purpose. You are not completely consumed with the outcome and you will do whatever it takes regardless of the rewards because you have your own reward. Anything else is just a bonus.
Once you commit yourself to turning pro you will see all kinds of doors open for you. Many in which you probably didn’t even know existed.
How to Turn Pro:
The simple answer is to just do it. Commit to your “profession” and start NOW.
This might not seem easy to do. We all have a million and one excuses as to why it’s not the right time or situation. We all have the fear of embarking on a new journey….but once that leap of faith is taken, it’s no longer the unknown and the fear will fade into the background. If you don’t feel uncomfortable about Going Pro, it’s probably because the dream is not big enough.
Make It Real:
One of the cool things to do is make your commitment real by telling people and making it public. Your chances of follow through are going to be much better if you tell others. It just makes it that much more real.
“If you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”
Joseph Campbell
Just like the title of our Monday features over here at Loving the Bike…it’s time to Make it Happen. We’re all experts at something, and we’ve all got what it takes to Go Pro. What is your passion? Let us know what you’re going to commit to….and we congratulate you on Going Pro.
Photo c/o Stevie from Loving the Bike
As always, great stuff. I also like the choice of words that Linda had (below) of “All In”. I think that a lot of us have had the personal experience of waking up one day and realizing that we are coasting, That we have lost the passion for what we are doing, or in some cases are doing things we never really had passion for in the first place. The doubters are all lining up to tell you why you wont make it when you “go pro” but maybe thats just them making excuses for why they never had the courage to make the leap themselves. Going Pro, and staying that way, requires full time attention though, its easy to slip back into “showing up is good enough”.
Find your passion, commit to it, and ENJOY THE RIDE.
Thanks Eric, I always enjoy hearing from you. Great comments, my friend….you are an incredible motivator.
The more doubters you have the better.. Thanks for the great comment and motivation
Great post and great timing. While out on long ride this weekend this very thought was racing in my head and heart. The question I was asking myself was, Are you ALL IN? Sometimes I feel that I am with certain things and sometimes I feel like a pretender. Reading this post was a great affirmation for me to once again Go Pro or just be ALL IN, no holding back on any aspect of life. Timing is everything thanks again for this powerful and purposeful post.
Glad it helped you. I like how you call it ALL IN….great way to put it. Congratulations on Going Pro.
Linda I like your saying All in… Kind of like walking on coals your are either in or your not..
Great post and great timing. While out on long ride this weekend this very thought was racing in my head and heart. The question I was asking myself was, Are you ALL IN? Sometimes I feel that I am with certain things and sometimes I feel like a pretender. Reading this post was a great affirmation for me to once again Go Pro or just be ALL IN, no holding back on any aspect of life. Timing is everything thanks again for this powerful and purposeful post.
What a way to follow up last Monday’s can’t stop, won’t stop post. Reality is what you make of it, and when you believe nothing can stop you, then nothing will.. Great post gentlemen.
Thanks Joel….you always have the nicest things to say. You’re quite the motivator yourself and definitely Going Pro in what you’re doing.
Thanks Joel Well said I truly believe that …
Great post. I went PRO a few years back. Not as a cyclist or a runner but as a writer. Since the first time I read a book I knew I wanted to be a writer. But it took years before I went PRO, risked it all and committed to writing. I don’t make much money but I don’t have to. I get so much pleasure from the process of writing but the best part of going PRO is discovering that what I expected to be a selfish decision has had a positive effect on my readers. When someone writes and tells me something I wrote meant something to them or motivated them to make a change in their lives, I know I made the right move.
You’re definitely Pro to me as well. I love what you have to say about this and I hope it motivates others to follow their bliss as well.
Annie You are doing it!
I’ve gone!
I feel like this past year….I’ve done just that. It’s been one of the most terrifying, but also one of the most blissful, exciting and fulfilling times of my life! Don’t know why i waited as long as I did. Thanks for helping me along that journey Darryl and Victor!
Actually thought of you while working on this post. You rock!
Yeah, I was thinking about you during the writing of this post as well. You’re Pro on and off the bike.
Wow. This is an incredibly powerful piece. It’s the kind of post that creates a contemplative mindset and truly, has me not wanting to say anything more than….Wow.
Wow right back at you, Kelly. That was one incredible comment you left for us. Thanks for that…we really appreciate it.
Thanks kelly . What are you “going pro” at?
My writing is my passion. Writing not only allows me to look back and organize my own soul, but it is a forward thinking process, allowing me to encourage others along their own journey. I actually write regularly on 4 different sites, not to mention the occasional one posted here on ‘Loving The Bike.’ 🙂
Somehow it comes easy to me. I write what I know (running, riding my bike, motherhood, etc…) and find that I write primarily “for me” and not the reader. I feel healthy when I write. And due to the fact I am a regular contributor to ‘Loving The Run,’ I am becoming braver in what I would call, ‘intentional writing.’
Someday, I’ll get paid to write about these things. And someday, I’ll write a book. I promise. 🙂
I think when we go down that road and commit to your bliss. Things do come easy in a sense. Keep making it happen. Cant wait to read the book! Somehow you made me think of the book “bird by bird” Am sure you have read it if not you should.
Victor
Great article guys and I love the ‘Going Pro’ concept.
Thanks Bryan, glad you checked it out.
I fall in line with how you guys are thinking and love it. When people first see my cycling site, joetoprocycling.com, they always ask if I really intend to go pro – like they expect me to say; “Ha, no, its just the name.” But I always simply reply, “Yes.” And it throws them for a second. I think its cause they think I’m ignoring the significant challenges and difficulty such a task will take, or that I should only say that if I have a reasonable expectation of it coming true. But you have to come to terms with going after the unreasonable if your going to really do something great.
Great post!
Great to hear from you…..keep on Going Pro.
Darryl and I had a great time writing this post. It has brought up some great conversation. Follow your bliss!