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:
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 and 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
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.
You can find Darryl on twitter @lovingthebike and Victor @bicyclelab
http://bicyclelab.com/going-pro
http://www.lovingthebike.com
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