I'm riding 150 miles on a bike with my 79 year old father
Sounds like a barrel of laughs, huh? That old man is going to ride me into the ground! You should see his calves! And this is not a new thing for us.
When I was 10, my family spent a week over the summer riding across Cornwall, England.
In 2019 my dad and I rode over 200 miles from mid-Michigan up to the Mackinaw Bridge.
And during the 7 years I lived in Michigan, I spent many hours riding the trails with him, usually on the way to eat muffins!
So I wasn't surprised when he said "We should ride 150 miles of the Katy Trail in MO this spring!" and you won't be surprised that I said, "Sure! Let's do it."
Fast forward...I am on that trip as you read this with my helmet, padded shorts and a lot less training than I had planned. EEK!
- Where are you staying? I have no idea!
- How long are you riding each day? Not a clue!
- What bike are you riding? Don't know that either!
You see, my father and I are VERY much alike, We are both planners and "Control Enthusiasts" as friend, Camino de Santiago hiker, and fellow control freak Lisa Corrado called it on a recent podcast episode.
Sometimes when you're working with someone very similar to you, (or even people who aren't very similar to you) you need to bend and flex your emotional intelligence muscles, and fight the urge to battle for every ounce of control like a NYC Subway rat fights for a pizza crust that still has sauce on it.
So my mantra for the weekend is Trust and Allowwwwwwww.
(picture me sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce on a pillow in a loin cloth, eyes closed, trying to be very relaxed and all zen-like. Hard to imagine? That's probably how I feel right now!)
In what situation of your life are you fighting to do things your way when it would just be easier, perhaps more effective and probably more enjoyable to let the other person lead.
My dad spent 28 years managing Marriott Hotels. He is highly equipped to handle planning a weekend in Missouri. He's also retired, and I'm trying to run a thriving speaking business! He has a lot more time on his hands. It's one less thing I need to worry about.
Erin and LeeAnn did this for our African Adventure over the holidays last year. They trusted me to plan our 18 day trip. (which for 2 intelligent professional, independent, strong-willed women was probably very hard!) It was a whole lot easier for me, and it was a task off their list!
Where could you let go and trust someone else's way? It could bring a bit of peace, and perhaps increase their motivation and ownership in the process.
Let someone else get 'em this week, Tiger! Allowwwwww! (and wish me luck!)
