January 29th, 2011
Total Distance for today: A laughable 7 miles
Total Distance for Tour: approx. 835 miles
LOCATION: Powdersville, SC
Please Kick My Ass… Seriously!
I had a ROUGH skate today. It was magnified by the fact that I probably only slept about 4 hours total in the last couple days. Yay for irresponsible sleep-deprivation! Add in an unholy quarter-sized blister and a nasty case of the “poor me’s,” and you have the recipe for a pretty bad day.
I’ll be very honest, I was questioning everything while sitting outside of “Phat Dogs” restaurant on a picnic table 835 miles into this quest. I was honestly considering my escape options. Did I leave myself an escape from this quest? Could I make one? Could I look myself in the eyes or take myself seriously ever again if I did? Is this all just part of the process? Is it really necessary to suffer so much to achieve something great? Blah, blah, blah! Austin was being a baby.
I’m holding up in a Super 8 Motel right now. It’s funny, because I had planned to start calling some key people to get some advice. Basically, “Do I stop, or do I press on kind of advice.” Suddenly, however, I had an urge to send a text to one of my key mentors, Al Curtis from the Insights Group. It basically said that I was having a tough day and that I needed him to kick my ass.
You see, I realized something: The cycle of positivity/negativity can be difficult to adjust internally. Sometimes, you just need that little outside nudge, err kick to get you moving back up. You need someone to tell you to stop feeling sorry for yourself, because they care about your success and your dream. Anyway, I sent my little “ass kicking request” to a number of people that I count on in times like these. I think today’s take-home lesson should be a combination of the best responses:
My text::“Hey. Having a shit day. Please KICK my ass and remind me how awesome, important, and unique this skate is.”
You just need to be reminded of your dream. You can’t see the forest from the trees. Complete the task at hand and then tell the story of the struggle for your dreams… You are good enough. You deserve success in this.
- Al
I’m grinning ear to ear right now – You had the idea to do this big thing, and I was there on the porch when you first thought of it. You’ve come this far and you’ve done something pretty incredible already, but you’ve hit the wall. You’re gonna be tired, in pain, broke, destitute, and it’s gonna be hard. But you’re gonna push through, and this is all part of the story. This had to happen. (paraphrased)
- Todd
Think about how when u finish… when u move on to other ventures, you’ll know you’re a finisher… really what you’ve already done is incredible and inspires many ppl.
- John
Dude. Your skating across America. Amazingness. Get going. Get there faster! Ha. Keep it up man. A little place called Aspen awaits.
- Benn
I will
- Drew
Do you need your ass kicked by someone who cares? Enough said.
Think back on those auditoriums full of faces looking up at you, looking up TO you, hearing–maybe for the only time ever in their lives–that their dreams mattered, that they could be and do anything they set their mind to doing.
Suppose a few dozen of those kids are following your blog, hanging onto it in the hope that all you said is true. Suppose only one kid is.
It isn’t just about you anymore, Austin.
Consider yourself kicked. (And hugged. And hear a voice whispering, “Of course you can. Of course you can.)
Susan
Press on! But….
if you have injuries and or blisters give yourself time to heal because if you don’t it can get in the way of you finishing or could potentially become increasingly painfull.
Another way to keep yourself from getting down or thinking about quitting is to think like a stock trader. Decide and write down what scenarios would you decide to quit.
Having them written down will prevent your brain from thinking about whether or not to quit. You’ve already decided.