Dave Swanson's Blog

The Firefight and Facing Fear

When I speak to audiences composed mostly of men, I can be pretty confident that as soon as I start talking about firefights and surviving combat in Iraq, most everybody will be on the edge of his seat. Men love stories of combat and risk, but sometimes I think they love them for reasons that don’t do them any favors.You see, as men we’re fond of talking about “overcoming fear” and “defeating fear,” and when you talk about combat against an enemy who’s trying to kill you and all your men by any means necessary, fear is definitely a factor. Fear is a constant presence in a combat situation; it’s a natural human response to mortal danger. But in the field, talk about overcoming or defeating fear is ridiculous. As for the guy who blusters, “I don’t feel fear,” he’s either a liar or a fool.There are two tricks to dealing with fear, whether you’re in combat or getting ready to walk onstage to speak in front of 10,000 people (a situation some people probably find more terrifying than the prospect of IEDs and the bolt action rifles of the mujahideen). First, make it into a familiar friend so it doesn’t get in the way of you doing your job. Second, use it to your advantage.The first you do with repetitive, grueling training. The idea is to suck all the novelty out of an experience so that instead of reacting to it with the shock and stress that can cause you to freeze up and maybe get shot, your brain says, “Oh, this again?” That’s why astronauts spend thousands of hours in simulators. The only way they can do their jobs while being hurled into space at Mach 30 while sitting on top of a 20-story bomb filled with millions of gallons of explosives is to make the experience so familiar, so routine, that they don’t panic. That’s why soldiers drill, speakers practice and actors rehearse.The second—well, that’s an attitude. When I was in the field, in combat, my greatest fear wasn’t losing my life (though it was up there). It was letting my men down—losing their lives. The prospect of having to face some young soldier’s wife or parents who had died under my command was intolerable. I let myself feel that fear and capitalized on it to keep me sharp, to make me prepare even when I knew I was already prepared, and make prudent decisions that would keep the soldiers in my command as safe as they could be.Fear can paralyze or it can motivate. Want it to motivate you? Make friends with fear. Acknowledge it and respect it, then come out swinging and make it serve you instead of the other way around.

High ImpAct Leadership #1: Small Acts of Leadership that Produce Big Results

In The Dot on the Left, I talk about my first speech to a platoon of 40 Army privates and specialists. With all of three months under my belt, I thought I was a leader. Despite my superiors recognizing that I had leadership ability, there’s a Grand Canyon-sized gap between that and being a leader. So I said all the wrong things: “Listen up! As long as everyone listens to the orders I put out, we will be fine. If you don’t, I have no problems with issuing MFRs (Memorandum for Records) to each and every one of you.” Yeah, that went over like a fart in church. I learned quickly that leadership is lonely because you’re the one with the power to punish. That taught me something even more important: being a leader is about trust, and trust is earned.I’ve seen organizations where executives will show up and presume that their titles make them leaders. But a leader and an authority figure are not the same thing. The authority figure has power, but the leader has trust, that something that makes your people willing to walk through fire for you.How do you begin to earn trust? That’s my High ImpAct Leadership tip for this blog. The small but vital thing you can do is this: Go first. Leaders go first. Leaders take the risk before they ask anyone to follow. They stick their necks out before expecting anyone to do the same. They speak up, test the waters, put in the long hours, do the dirty, ugly work. Leaders set the example that everyone else is expected to meet.Want to start earning trust? Go first. Don’t talk about it. Don’t advertise it. Just show up before everyone else and roll up your sleeves. Be the one to speak up to the CEO about something that’s not right. Take the blame when your team drops the ball. That’s what leaders do. That’s how they get people to put their lives in the leader’s hands…sometimes literally.

It's Publication Day!

This is a day I’ve anticipated for a long time: the day my book, The Dot on the Left, officially comes out. As I relish this exciting day—and look forward to a lot of work promoting the book to my readers—I also want to mark the date by answering some important questions.What made me want to write a book?Over the years, I told my “dot on the left” story to a lot of audiences at speaking engagements, and each time I would get asked, "Why isn't that a book?" I would always respond by asking, “Why would anyone want to read it?” I did that for twelve years and I regret not believing in the power of the story. I should have shared the story behind the story and my message—believe in yourself—sooner. I would say the same to you: believe in what you have to say. You never know who you might help just by speaking out.How did I come up with the title?I really struggled with it, that’s how. I had a lot of ideas, most of them lame in retrospect: A Soldier's Dream, The Making of Warrior White One and many others. Nothing seemed to stick. Then, late last year, I was telling the story to someone and they asked me, "So, you were the dot on the left both times?" The light bulb when on over my head (which is bald and sort of looks like a light bulb, so it worked). I said, "Yes, I'm the Dot on the Left.” It has stuck ever since. How did I decide to publish the way I did?I had many options, but going with Mascot Books allowed me to achieve my dream of publishing a book in the time frame that I wanted to. I could have submitted the story to many other publishers and probably heard a thousand “No thank you”s before I heard one yes. But then, it might have been two or three more years before my book would be in readers’ hands.What’s been the coolest thing about having a book?It’s when people tell me their favorite inspirational line from The Dot on the Left or when they post that line on social media. I never thought I would get so many people saying that what I wrote inspired them, regardless of the stage in life they are in. Signing books has also been pretty cool, too. What’s surprised me the most about having a book? That so many people have the same dream—to write a book—and that I actually accomplished it. What’s also surprising is how deeply the story has touched people. Many readers have told me that they not only enjoyed it but even shared it with their families. I guess each time I turn a dream into reality, I'm surprised. Looking back, I always find myself wondering, “How did I get all that stuff done?” Nothing is better than reaching a giant goal, and a book definitely fits that description. Finally, a shameless plug: Click here and buy my book. If you enjoy stories about perseverance, overcoming humiliation and failure, the military, leadership, surviving more than 100 firefights, and wrestling goats, please pick up a copy and share it with someone you care about. And thank you for being the reason I wrote this book.

The Blessings of Humiliation

The moment I became a dot on the left was one of abject humiliation. As I write in my book, The Dot on the Left, I was sitting with my new classmates at the West Point Prep School when the school’s commandant put the classes’ SAT scores on a screen for all to see. There, alone on the far left, was a dot representing my rock-bottom math score: 310 out of 800.My classmates didn’t know that dot was me, but they jeered and chuckled at the intellectual, 98-pound weakling who’d put up such a pathetic score. But the worst part was that, even while my face reddened and my muscles went taut, I had to join them in mocking myself so they wouldn’t know I was the guilty party.That moment scarred me. Even today, I can still hear the laughter of the other cadets, still feel the overwhelming desire to disappear into a hole in the floor. But we all have pain and humiliation in our pasts; what separates leaders and success stories from failures is that leaders don’t let their scars define them. Instead, they use them.My humiliation taught me two very important truths, truths that I took with me into the Army, leading men in combat, and that I carry with me still. The first: Never sit back and let events define you. I could’ve let that early failure define what I could do, but I chose to be proactive. Growth, opportunities, the risks that change everything—they come to people who aren’t passive, don’t accept the judgments of others as gospel, and who get up and make things happen. Want to change things? Get off your ass and start by changing the one thing you can control: yourself.The second truth: Don’t get comfortable. No matter how much we try to maintain our edge, all of us have a tendency to become complacent after we enjoy some success. We pat ourselves on the back. Read our own reviews. Congratulate ourselves on how awesome we are. And that’s usually the time when we get the rug pulled out from under us by a competitor, bad luck, or our own laziness. As I wrote in my book, “Based on my experience as an enlisted soldier and even as an officer in charge of men in combat, I would argue that humiliation is a leader’s best friend. The fear of embarrassment keeps leaders sharp in their day-to-day affairs.”Those moments when you felt ashamed, when you couldn’t meet people’s eyes, when you let the team down—don’t let them define you, but DO let them remind you. Great leaders don’t get complacent, lose their edge, or sit back on their heels. Humiliation makes us wise.

Becoming a Published Author

The dream started back in 2005. That’s how long I’ve been wanting to publish a book about the struggles, victories, and lessons I experienced at West Point, in the Army, and beyond. I started writing and made a lot of progress. But life makes demands on our time and attention, and our “must do” lists wind up as “get to one day” lists. So as 2016 was drawing to a close, the book was partially written but not done, and actual publication seemed remote. So I made a new year’s resolution for 2017: climb Mount Rainier, continue my PhD studies, and publish my book.Mission accomplished.On October 12, 2017, I stood in front of a screaming crowd of 200-plus Cadet Candidates at the West Point Prep School with my book, The Dot on the Left, in my hand. I spoke to them about the stories in the book and about my message—that dreams are more powerful than where you fall on any scale, any chart, any curve. It was a perfect moment, one I’d been anticipating for a long, long time.When I made my resolutions, I wasn't sure how any of it would get done. But I took those dreams, made them into goals, and executed, which is the hardest part. I believed in myself, put together a trusted team, and believed in them. I also relied on a little bit of luck, but there’s nothing wrong with that. The trick is recognizing when luck has brought you something or someone that you need and seizing the opportunity.This has been an amazing journey that’s just beginning. I’ve already gone full circle: going back to the school where I struggled so much and speaking words that I hope will inspire the young mind who sit where I sat. I never thought I would be sharing my story with them, let alone giving them a book that I believe will be a sort of “dreamer’s manual” for anyone who’s been told what they can’t do. Which is all of us.I can't wait to go back again next year.

Finding a Dot on the Left, Part 1: Identifying Hires With Star Potential

First of all, what is a “dot on the left?” Aside from being the title of my upcoming book, the term refers to someone who, based on the standards set by others, appears to be a sub-par performer but who has the hidden potential to be exceptional.That’s my story in a nutshell: at the United States Military Academy Prep School at West Point, I was the dot on the left—the candidate who stood out only in how consistently I fell short of the performance standards set by my peers. Yet somehow, I rose above my limitations to excel during my twelve years in the U.S. Army and in civilian life afterward.For organizations facing the endless need to hire the best people, that’s really the critical question: how do you identify “dots on the left”—recruits with potential that no one else is seeing? Anybody can hire a person with a gold-plated resume or an Ivy League degree, but the competition for those superstars is fierce. In my experience, what separates world-class companies and leaders from the also-rans is their ability to see greatness in applicants who aren’t flashy and don't stand out at first glance. Those are the hidden gems, the surprise superstars who can elevate a company beyond the competition.Before you can spot those individuals, you must drop the natural human tendency to label. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that the brain decides how trustworthy a face is within 30 milliseconds of perceiving it, meaning that we judge and label people before we can even really see them, much less learn about them. I’ve been unfairly labeled as laconic and indifferent by people who’ve just met me, but I’m not. I care deeply about people and causes; I’m just not a rah-rah speaker who’s going to scream at you to make a point. There’s a reason for this: after more than 100 firefights in Iraq, it takes a lot to get me charged up. Labeling is dangerous, because it can blind you to the real person beneath the surface—the person who could be a difference-maker for your organization.How do you get past labels and résumés to find the dots on the left in your hiring process? Here are some suggestions:Forget about optics. Sometimes, we can judge a book by its cover. If someone arrives for a job interview or important department meeting dressed in a slovenly manner, it speaks of a lack of respect. But optics will only take you so far. For instance, when some people find out I was in the military and have a shaved head, they become intimidated. But I’m a nice guy, not scary at all. Surface impressions are often wrong. What matters is the reason someone looks or sounds the way they do. Clothing or hairstyle might tip you off to a person’s judgment or professionalism, but those are matters of choice. Whether a candidate is attractive or homely, has a high voice or sounds like Barry White, is fit or overweight—those tell you nothing about the character of the person.Listen to the words they choose. You can tell a lot about someone by his or her vocabulary. This isn’t about education; someone who went to Harvard might sound like a walking Oxford English Dictionary but be a terrible teammate. No, I’m mostly talking about when they use words like “I,” “we,” and “they.” Do they credit themselves with successes while sticking the blame to others when talking about things that went wrong? Are their questions insightful and well-researched or rote and routine? Find someone hungry. Wealth manager Mario Gabelli told Bloomberg that his firm liked to hire PhDs: poor, hungry and driven. Hunger matters. How badly does the person you’re talking to want the position? For me, fierce hunger can overcome holes in a resume. I want someone who would show up at 4 a.m., work all weekend, and exceed his or her limits to get the job done if needed. How hungry is the person you’re talking to? Did he show up early? Is she filled with energy and ideas? Is he ready to start in the mail room and work his way up?Look for humility. I’ll know in two minutes if I’m going to like someone based largely on how humble that person is. Now, I’m not talking about refusing to take credit for anything and downplaying accomplishments, because that’s not humility. That’s not having the confidence to own your outcomes. To me, real humility means that in everything you say and do, you make it clear that it’s not about you. It’s about serving—your team, your company, your family, your country. I like people who know that we all serve someone and who take pride in service. Humble people are confident people, because they know that what they’ve done speaks for itself. They don’t need to sell it.Finally, when in doubt, find a way to have a bonding moment. You don’t really know someone until you have a chance to bond—to see their character revealed. That’s true not just for new hires but for people who are already on a team. How well you really know your team? If you haven’t suffered together, I’d argue that you don’t really know them that well. Character reveals itself when things are unpleasant or people are forced to deal with losing. Play golf or poker. Go camping. I climbed Mount Rainier with six strangers, and when we reached the summit we were friends. There was a bond that came through hardship.Bottom line, always look deeper. People will tell you who they really are if you let them. Just remember that sometimes people don’t shine because they haven’t yet found the circumstances that will let them shine. Maybe if you give them a chance, they will.Dave Swanson is a motivational speaker, author, and former U.S. Army infantry platoon leader who engaged in more than 100 firefights while deployed to Sadr City, Iraq. The Dot on the Left is his first book. For more information, visit www.DaveSwansonSpeaks.com.

3 business lessons learned above 10,000 feet

To you true Mountaineers. I salute you. Mt. Ranier is considered a beginning mountain, but let's think about that phrase again. Beginning. Mountain. Hmm, something just doesn't add up for me. Those with experience can shake their heads and whisper, "rookie" if they like and you should, but this was hard for me, much more than anticipated and it seemed like that for everyone in the group that attended with me.About a year ago, my brother admits that it would be "cool" to climb Mt. Ranier. In a calm voice, I responded, "I've been looking for something to do."I know, sounds like the beginning of a really bad B movie, where we all could write the screenplay. But, that's how it all started.We circled it for 2017, took note of the registration dates and started training. The months until Memorial Day weekend grew closer and closer. The fear became real. Let me preface this story with 2 things:I'm afraid of heights. (I know what you're thinking - then why choose a mountain to climb?!? - I'm getting there)I have 0 experience mountaineering. (In our intro's to the group, I actually used level 0)If I'm writing this, then you know I'm alive, so breathe easy that this story turns out just fine, but I struggled. Big time.Sequence of events and times:Sat. Night:1145 PM: Wake UpSun. Morning:1:06 AM: Step Off2:45 AM: Take break (Crown/Tooth falls off after eating hard food)4:00 AM: Second break5:15 AM: Summit Mt. Ranier - Sun begins to rise6:00 AM: Descent begins7:45 AM: Toenails get mashed (Essentially ready to fall off inside sock)8:15 AM: Dehydration begins (Cramps form in calves, quads and hamstrings)8:15 AM - 9:20 AM: Head to High Camp (Leg gives out over 10 times and I walked over several crevasses that had huge drops - not to mention that this is the section where I walked over a ladder with 2 pieces of wood with extremely shaky legs, cursing myself for watching the movie Everest)10:15 AM - Head to Camp Muir (Leg gives out over 15 times)12:05 PM - Head to Camp Paradise (Parking Lot) - (Legs gives out over 50 times in the next 3.5 hoursAnd I didn't even mention the rocks that headed my way on day 2!!!What did I learn? 3 things in my NDE, excuse me, my mountain climbing experience. Please don't think this is negative, I loved every second of it!When we kicked off at 1:06 AM, I couldn't see the 1000 ft. cliffs outside of my lamp on my head. THAT was a good thing, I focused on each step, each breath and recognized that the mountain couldn't go on forever. Business lesson: Don't get caught on analysis paralysis - focus on the one step at a time, regardless of the dream/goal/task.You're only as good as those who guide you. Our guides, from Alpine Ascents, were amazing. Seth/Josh/Anna/Robyn were all amazing individuals and I owe my life to them for saving it and all the encouragement. Business lesson: Be careful of those who mentor you, pick them wisely and always know that they have your best interest at heart.Realities>Goals>Dreams - Dreams are awesome and we all have them. Goals are nice and we should all set them. Realities are few and far between for people. Business lesson: Very few people take theirs/organization's dreams and turn them into realities. Take the vision, make it specific with a timetable that turns it into a goal and finally keep working on it, until it becomes a reality.Hey - what about your fear of heights? Trust me, every step on the small trails scared me and all I could do, was focus. Step in the spot of the person in front of me. Focus. Step. By step, that was my focus. Breathing was my focus. I blocked out all the fear by focusing on the task and that's what allowed me to get through it.How was the summit? Amazing. So amazing because I thought of all those who supported me in this endeavor, all those people who wished me good luck and all those people who didn't believe I could do it. It's a bittersweet moment, so much that even as we drove away - I still didn't believe that I had been up that mountain. It may be years before I fully reflect on that journey, but it was definitely a journey where things didn't go the way I had planned, but then again, when does it ever happen like that?

4 Ways to become a speaker (by learning from a professional)

I had the chance (privilege/honor) to be an attendee at the Ogden Speaking Academy in Kansas City these past two days. You are already wondering what that is, so let me tell you-- Ogden Speaking Academy was created with a vision of bringing together individuals who are interested in learning the art of public speaking, self image, brand awareness, as well as the power of networking with like-minded professionals. https://www.ogdenspeakingacademy.com/... don't understand? You learn how to not only become a speaker, but build a brand and the most important thing of all, network with some of the finest people who only want success for you as well. I learned more than 4 things at this event, but trust me, it is well worth the time, and I have to share these 4 gems that changed my world. 1. What is your unique selling proposition? -- Does your elevator pitch, branding, website, social media all match or promote that? If it doesn't, it should.2. Laying a foundation is going to take time! I know. You want success. You want it now, but not only in speaking, but anything that you are passionate about is not going to be an overnight success. Don't be too critical of yourself in the early months/years. YOU WILL GET THERE. Just don't quit the process.3. 3 things - Funny, Vulnerable, Engaging. Not just your speech, but you, as a person, need to work on these traits to become a a speaker. Not everyone is naturally funny, (I'm not by any means), but weaving humor in every story, sticks with the audience. Vulnerable? Ok. Tough guys, I recognize this isn't on your agenda as a speaker, but if you genuinely want to connect with people -- they have to know that you're human. WE all make mistakes. Marques Ogden'sstory is highlighted with this, but being resilient through the tough times makes us better people today. To be engaging is simple isn't it? No? Taking your message/story and turning it into value for the audience, makes YOU engaging. Just hearing a story about your life doesn't always cut it, there has to be something in the message for your crowd, then you will be engaging.4. Have an action plan. For everything. You don't need to copy someone else's action plan for becoming a speaker, but YOU need an action plan, but here's the kicker -- you need to take ACTION on the action plan as well. Developing an action plan and not starting it because of fear won't help you get any closer to becoming a speaker or whatever it is that you're passionate about. That's all you learned in two days?!? Absolutely not. These gems only occupied 10 minutes of time, but there was so much amazing material, I couldn't possibly cover everything in this blog. If you are considering an event as a speaker, then look no further, Marques has put together an absolutely amazing event and has put an emphasis on the networking piece as well. Need encouragement? Just starting in speaking? Just looking to meet great people? Then check out the next Ogden Speaking Academy in Baltimore in November, you can sign up at info@ogdenspeakingacademy.com

It's Going to Get Gnarly...3 steps to keeping yourself running in life and in business

If you have never run a Ragnar relay, then you really should consider it if you like a challenge. Two days before the race begins, a friend of mine named George Prate asked me to be part of the relay (12 people 200ish miles). I had never heard of it and people train for months to prepare for the race. Two vans of 6 people each and each person completes 3 legs throughout a 30+ hour process. Van 2 (my van) consisted of Tyson (Van Leader), his son Hunter (speed demon), Allan (Ironman), BJ (Laid Back), George (Hustler) and myself. Little sleep, a lot of smells, but so much camaraderie, it's been one of the best experiences in my life.Many observations of styles exist when it comes to the relay. You have ultras (only 6 people and 1 van) that complete 30+ miles on their own.You have 12 people doing 15-20 miles at a fast pace and then you have some who just want to finish.I'm pretty sure, I fit into that last group, I only had a two-day notice and I basically went from Couch to Ragnar. (Trademark pending)My first leg was a doozy. 90 degrees. Very Hard terrain (according to Ragnar) and it was 6.9 miles. For many runners out there, that doesn't seem that hard and I thought the same thing until you realize there is little shade and you mentally know you have two more legs to run.The second leg was nice. A flat 2.7 miles and at 2 AM, the temperature was perfect. 60 degrees and a well-marked course made this one fun.The third leg? Well, this is where the story gets interesting. Since my 3rd leg was canceled, due to an issue, I had the privilege of running with my friend, but it's not as pleasant as you think. Our mile times were vastly different (7:45min/mile vs. 9:30min/mile) and in the running world, that's huge. This leg was the most elevation change in the entire course and there were three things I noticed while running those monster hills in the last two miles.As mentioned, George said, "These last two miles are going to get Gnarly." Gnarly is not a good term here, in fact -- I think it means, look up at the gigantic hill in front of you, but he was definitely referencing the elevation change.I let George know my idea of success for that leg. No walking, it can be a slow pace (and it was), but I wasn't mentally going to give up and walk.As a group passed us, they sprinted and then walked. I would catch them, then they sprinted and they walked. It was a lot of energy being spent by those two runners and it was an interesting strategy.The Ultrarunner I saw walked the hills. (I can only imagine after doing 30+ miles) But I found that interesting as well. Run all this way -- and then walk the most difficult part. Hmm.WE all have our own definitions of success in business and in life, but which group do you fit in?I am one that even if I am going 1 mph, I am still making progress, regardless, I just keep going and I'll reach my goal. It may not be as quick as I want it to, but I don't give up. That's success to me.How many of us have been that second group? We start off on a goal or dream and we sprint as hard as we can, but when we see another hill in front of us, we take a break or walk? We all have done it when it comes to setting goals, this may work for some people, but not all -- as some people will just find another path versus finishing the race.What about the last group -- do you fit in here? Work so hard in training or at our jobs or on a goal/dream and it comes down to the final leg and we stop. We've spent all our energy getting to that point and we just can't move on anymore. (For the record, the Ultrarunner still beat me walking versus my running -- just want to be clear about that)In life or in business, we all have our own styles to getting to the goal line. Whatever you deem success, you follow that, not someone else's version of that. If you are consistenly not reaching your goal line, maybe you need to evaluate your style/approach to trying to achieve it. Maybe you fit into one of those three groups above and should change something?If you have completed a Ragnar relay and want to share your insights, please do so below or if you have another great race story, please let me know as well. We all have our own styles to meet goals and running the race of life.

3 Things I learned from doing 100k steps in a day

Yes. I get it ultra marathon runners. You do this every day and for that, I applaud you and I am thoroughly impressed. I really am and one day I will join you for a race. Maybe.For all other average walkers/runners/people out there, this story is for you.I got a Fitbit a little while back and joined my Executive Class MBA's Fitbit community. IT WAS ADDICTING! If you like competition, then Fitbit is for you, but it doesn't end there, right?I decided to push myself after a few 25k step days and tried 50k after a few months. When I realized that I could get a long early run before work in and still accomplish 50k, I decided, why not 100k, because, I'm crazy. I'm a goal setter and I always ask why not versus why. Right?First thing learned about doing this: I planned and planned and planned. 54 miles in a day requires training and understanding how my body would react. I knew I couldn't run the full amount, I am not an ultra-marathoner, so I decided that walk-running would be my best approach. I ran the first 10 miles and then broke it down by each 1/2 mile. Bottom Line: If you are going to challenge yourself consistently, you must train and plan, then plan and train, without it, failure is surely going to happen.Second thing about doing this: "Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." Mike Tyson. Iron Mike was right on this one. I broke the day down into 5 X 20,0000 steps increments. In the second 20,000 increment, I felt an extreme pain in my left foot. The foot I had fractured as a freshman in college and I thought I had done it again. Instead of giving up, I slowed down and really stretched my foot and retied my shoe. I began to walk again with the pain shooting up my leg, but after a few minutes, the pain went away. I continued on but monitored my foot to ensure that it wasn't going to be a long-term injury. Bottom Line: Mentally preparing for the surprises is everything, the road to accomplishing a goal is not straight and downhill -- it's bumpy, goes uphill sometimes and may even go sideways.Third thing about doing this: Not giving up. From my calculations, I knew starting at 3 AM and ending at about 8 PM was what it was going to take. (With breaks in between) The texts I sent to my wife went from YEAH (Happy Emojis), done with the first 20k, to done. Finally.... Done (Broken Down Emojis). There were many points where I questioned my sanity, questioned my health and my ability to goal set, but there was something satisfying about the journey that I can only explain by enjoying the process. Bottom Line: Failing at something is OK. Quitting on something is never OK. Success/Winners/Whatever you want to call it -- just means not giving up.I'll repeat, I know it's not that special of a goal, that many people can do it. If you are a Fitbit fan, give it a shot, go out and try it. If you're not, but still want to take one day, where you push yourself more than you thought you could do, try it. The goal of this article is not for you to do 100k in a day, but to set a goal, plan for it and accomplish it. Whatever that might be.Contact me for speaking at - dave@daveswansonspeaks.com or leave a comment below. I would love about other people's one day challenges they decided to take on!