Education
Have you ever walked a mile in 30 minutes?
By Karen A. Robertson
Mar 15, 2006, 21:45

Have you ever walked a mile in 30 minutes? It doesn't sound like much of a challenge does it? Most people can do it in 20 minutes easily. But for a 6 year old kid who has survived the ravages of brain cancer, it is an amazing feat.

My grandson, Les Fountain, was diagnosed with medulablastoma, a fast-growing malignant brain cancer just after his 4th birthday. Without going into detail, there was surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and remission. Les has been cancer free for over two years now and we rejoice. He is a delight.

How I wish I could tell you that everything is perfect for him. His smile and all that he adds to our lives IS perfect. We count every day with him a tremendous blessing from God.

As a result of the cancer and/or the treatment, Les has some challenges. Standing on one foot, jumping off the ground with both feet, walking in a straight line, climbing stairs, climbing on playground equipment, and catching himself when he falls. He lacks stamina, strength and balance. Hey, there are some kids who can't walk at all, so we count our blessings.

Every year, people launch into January by making New Year's Resolutions or writing a whole new set of goals. Les' goals are set for him by physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Our goal, as his family, is to help him improve.

As his Gammie, I decided that I should be the one to beef up his physical therapy. Why? Because,

I didn't feel that 30 minutes a week with a physical therapist was getting the results we hoped for.

I had the most flexible schedule in the family... and the most patience.
As a business and life coach, motivating people to do what they want, plan, need, or aspire to is my business.

One of the goals set for Les was to walk one mile in 30 minutes. I measured off a mile with the car, parked in a safe place, and off we went. My idea was to only walk a mile out and then turn around and come back. I figured that way, he'd hurry up on the second to get back to the car. I even promised that I'd buy him some Carl's Jr. Chicken Stars for lunch when he finished.

It reminded me of working with my coaching clients. They have big hairy audacious goals, but sometimes they lack the motivation or the tenacity to achieve them without a coach. If I hadn't been there, I know Les would have given up. We marched, we raced from one light post to another, we made up rhymes to our steps, we counted steps and tried not step on cracks, we sang, we stopped for a drink of water a few times, I cajoled, I coaxed, I reminded him of the Chicken Stars, and made him laugh when he wanted to cry.

Isn't that just what we all need as we attack our goals. Anything short of a kick in the pants is alright. He made it in 28 minutes!! I was exhausted! Not from the walk, but from the effort to motivate Les to "keep going."

If you are facing a challenge or have set Big Hairy Audacious Goals, "keep going." Don't let anything stop you. Make a plan. Figure out what motivates you, and go for it. If it isn't Chicken Stars, what is it?

Karen A. Robertson
Business & Life Coach
GIANT STEP SUCCESS
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951-609-0110