How much has compromise cost you?

I’ve just read another biographical book, the Lewis Hamilton story. I am always reading biographies of sports and business leaders. I take every opportunity to meet successful people.

They all have a common thread. Attention to detail. In Lewis Hamilton’s story as with Schumaker he is totally professional. He attends to every little detail necessary to be the best he can be. When was first given the chance to drive formular one for McLaren – Mercedes, he introduced himself to every member of the support team and learned everything he could about every aspect of preparing a formular one racing car. What’s suprising is that even at that level, many other drivers don’t bother with these things.

Last weekend my wife and I saw a movie. This is our Sunday afternoon switch off session. After a physically stressful morning session, we refuel as though we’re professional athletes. After a shower, I often have a short sleep and then we like to go to the movies. While we’re there, we become totally absorbed in the film. This is a necessary break from work or training. This switching off is as important as training. It’s amazing how many world champions of all sports use this same strategy.

The movie we saw was “Body of Lies” with Russell Crowe and Leanardo DiCaprio. Before we chose that movie, we knew it would be good. Because Russell Crowe doesn’t play in bad films, he doesn’t have to. We’ve seen most of Crowe’s  movies and have never been disapointed. His energy in every role he plays is amazing. Every detail is covered. I’m sure when his career was young he would have been pressured to make compromises. To simply put food on the table. But Russell’s professionalism, his attention to detail, is what has moved him to the front of his field. 

Much the same way we see people around us making compromises every day. Roughness is almost expected amoungst tradesmen. When we come across a tradie who does exactly what we expect, when we expect it, and charges a fair price, we almost applaud. The guys who do their jobs without compromising their professionalism, whether it’s racing a formular one car, acting on the world stage or fixing your plumbing, all end up at the top of the heap.

In our sport, whether you race as a professional for the prize money, or an age grouper racing for a time or a place in your category. The fewer compromises you make from the perfect plan, the better your results will be. Professionalism is not something reserved for pro athletes. We can all benefit from a more professional approach.

Lewis Hamilton has people who help him with all the little details, but he drives the whole attitude thing with his own approach. Most of us don’t have someone to look after our little things, so we have to become good at it ourselves. Start making lists, checking things off, if all the little things are done, racing the race is easy.

Professionalism is not just a “race day thing”, it’s an every day thing. Diet, equipment, technique, rest, refuelling, sleep, balance. There’s your first list. Each of those headings can become another list.