This is the second open event that I have taken part in in as many weeks. Although the Wessex Cycle Festival (http://www.cyclefestival.com/) is not strictly a charity fundraising event it has presented a great opportunity to get involved. My small attempt to support both Wessex Heartbeat and the Festival was a 25 mile bike ride from Somerton to Glastonbury and back. As I struggled up a long steep hill, thankfully not to the Tor, I thought that on a bike gravity is rather like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I certainly loved gravity as I sped down the other side at 40 miles an hour! I was pleased with my time of 1hr 58mins. Although I felt it was a bit tough having to cycle 3 miles to and from the car park! We were blessed with a fantastic day and it was enjoyable cycling past fields of buttercups with lambs in. There were a couple of magnificent bulls, one black as coal and shining in the sunlight like satin.

The more I think about the sorts of things one can do to support charity the more I am convinced that charities should offer as wide a choice as possible. After all people support charities for very different reasons; the kids have left home, it's a milestone birthday, that special anniversary, they are recovering from an illness or a bereavement, having a midlife crisis ( I do hope that is not me!). Or they are just looking for the challenge of a lifetime?

If as a charity you only offer a couple of your own events you run the risk of appealing only to those people interested in those particular activities and that they will be free on those dates. You also take all the risk, which doses not strike me as prudent particularly in this economic climate. However, if you can offer a wide range of events and dates you maximise the opportunities for your supporters to find an event that excites them and at a time that suites them. Of course you can’t put on all these events yourself so partnerships with other charities and event organisers spreads the risk and in the case of open challenges negates the risk completely. I’m always mindful that money gifted to my charity is in my care and I have to be the best steward I can be. After all the money has not been given to the charity to pay for more fundraising.

I found the Just Walk event (http://www.acrossthedivide.com/) inspiring as there were over a 100 charities supported by 850 walkers. There were plenty of opportunities to expand your horizons both literally and by learning about other charities and the stories behind the walkers.

One small step

I’ve taken the first step towards completing 1 of the 4 challenges that I set myself in support of all those people affected by heart conditions; well, actually 14,500 steps to be exact! The ‘Just Walk’ Challenge involved walking 60km through West Sussex and along the South Downs. The walk went really well, the weather was perfect and the scenery superb. It took me twelve and a half hours actually walking with an hours’ worth of rest stops. The last 4K was uphill, in the wood, in the dark and on flint!!

It was a little bit of a wake-up call as I had not done any training. I’m nursing two blisters but other than that have come off well. However, my next challenge, the ‘Wessex Cycle Challenge’ on Saturday 23rd May is only a week away and the route is 35k........ (I had better get my bike out this week!) http://www.heartbeat.co.uk/wessex-cycle-festival

The Wight Challenge on Saturday 19th September requires some serious training, this Challenge consists of a 20 mile cross country cycle, followed by a 3 mile canoe, topped off with a 8 mile run! http://www.heartbeat.co.uk/wight-challenge

If you would like to sponsor me or would like to take part in any of the Challenges, please click on the widget on the right of this blog to donate or to take part, please click on the links in this post.

Anger for good

Why do we need anger? We react with anger for a number of different reasons. For example, we get angry when we are trying to protect our rights or maintain our individual identity. To stand up to those who are bent on preying on the weak or against social injustice. It can be a crude way of protecting more vulnerable emotions or to give us the time to retreat, compose ourselves and live to fight another day.
I was taught that all anger is sinful, but in itself anger is just a feeling, and as such neither good nor bad morally. It is true that anger is a dangerous thing and can result in each of us saying or doing things we later regret. But anger can also be a good thing. It can spur us to put right something that is blatantly wrong. There are times when we ought to be angry. An unjust situation should make us angry. Yet let us not be in any doubt, anger can be an expression of love.
All of us should look at things which make us angry. It is said that you can measure the size of a person's soul by the size of the things that make him or her angry. Most of our anger is motivated by self-interest and it is also true to say that we very often get angry about petty things.
We should never forget that anger is a tool, it must be understood and used effectively for the purpose it was designed. Anger is neutral and it is the individual who decides if anger will be put to constructive or destructive use. The emergence of anger is not a call to action necessarily. It is a signal that something is not right and must be addressed. Our job is to use our anger to make worthwhile decisions that help us grow as human, not destroy us and those around us.
After a business meeting recently we were discussing charity leadership and I was reminded that my drive comes from my anger. At first I disagreed, but they were right, I am driven by the anger generated when I see a charity poorly run. I feel that everyone working in a charitable organisation has a duty of care to be the most professional they can be as they have to make the most of the gifted money that charity receives.

Three challenges one goal

I’m not known as the most sporty of fellows. I would rather be sitting back admiring the view with a glass of something in my hand. However, I’m also keen to encourage others to care for their hearts and live a full and healthy life. Leading from the front, no that’s not right, I’ll probably be at the back of the pack. So, leading by example I’m undertaking three of Wessex Heartbeat’s challenges this year. Kicking off with a 37 mile (60k) walk on the South Downs on May 9th closely followed on the 23rd with a 22 mile (35k) bike ride as part of the Wessex Cycle Festival. I’m then going to bring my peak physical fitness to bear on the 9th September for the Wight Challenge. I’ll be cycling 20 miles, canoeing 3 miles and then running 8 miles.
As long as you have not hurt yourself laughing at the thought of me doing all of this exercise, please ensure that I have to complete this by sponsoring me. Just click on the widget on the right of this blog. Of course you could join me by clicking on the links in this post.

Luck, where hard work meets opportunity

I was asked the other day why I thought some people are more lucky than others. My reply was that I don’t believe in luck as a factor in life. I think we see people as lucky when their hard work meets opportunity. Many “lucky” people leap at opportunities and are prepared to embrace failure.

Embracing failure dose not mean seeking out failure, rather love it, listen to it, make a friend of it, learn from it and treat is as a real insight on how you can grow and develop.

There are a number of reasons to embrace failure;

1. Failure teaches us. Failure narrows down the possible approaches to success. Scientists rely on trial and error in their research. Each failed experiment brings them a little closer to revolutionary breakthroughs. Think of your own efforts as experiments. When you don’t get the desired result, figure out why. Then try again with your new knowledge.

2. Failure reveals our ability. You’ll never know how much weight you can lift until you reach an amount you can’t. I think trainers often refer to this as “lifting to failure.” Pushing yourself as far as you can lets you know what’s possible. By avoiding limits, you’ll never reach your peak. The fear of failure stops us a lot shorter than failure itself. So keep going until nothing more is possible. Then celebrate what you’ve accomplished.

3. Failure makes us stronger. Those same weight lifters who lift to failure also have learned that is the way they build muscle. At first the tissue is damaged, but it’ll heal bigger and stronger than before. Soon the athlete will be able to lift more weight. The same is true for our pursuits. Failure strengthens our character, with each effort, we grow a little stronger.

4. Failure inspires us. When we don’t let discouragement hold us back, failure makes our desire burn hotter. Often this inspiration is a wish to avoid another failure. If failure makes you work harder or focus more, it’s an experience with tremendous value.

5. Failure inspires others. Leaders must take risks. Even when they don’t succeed, their courage can still make a difference.

6. Failure builds courage. Becoming more comfortable with failing enables you to take more risks. If you know you can deal with it, it will no longer threaten you. If you're open to failing, you'll readily take more chances.

7. Failure is better than regret. The times I’ve been denied an opportunity never felt as bad as when I’ve let opportunities pass me by. At least when we fail, we know. Not trying at all leaves us wondering. Avoid kicking yourself later by taking a leap when the opportunity presents it’s self.

8. Failure leaves us open to better opportunities. Without an awareness of the big picture, it’s easy to perceive failure as misfortune.

9. Failure makes success a little sweeter. We appreciate victory more when we’ve tasted defeat. We expend a lot of energy running from failure. Try embracing it. Find the opportunity in the adversity. If there’s a recipe for success, failure might be its primary ingredient.

I’ve heard a lot about SMART goals, how in order for goals to be effective, they need to be SMART. That the gaols are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. However, I think this can go against our own motivation to take that opportunity. It can steal our potential by making us conform. If we are fearful of failure and want to protect ourselves by setting goals that don’t push us and open us up we won’t reach our full potential.

I’m not suggesting that you should not have goals; rather you should reach for the stars. Successful people know the importance of setting goals, they also have many failures on the way to their success.

I know I’m an opportunist I don’t see the glass half full, I see the full jug beside the glass ready to top it up. If I start each day reflecting on the things that I am grateful for such as a lovely wife and children, my health, a stimulating and challenge career, my glass is filled to the brim. If I let the negative things empty the glass I’ll end up setting smart goals!

How about setting goals that are your vision. Step out of that comfort zone, manage the risk, learn from the failures and create your own competitive advantage. Create your own luck.

Setting goals to help achieve success

Since my last posting, I am pleased to report that I have made some progress towards improving my BMI! This in itself, is significant as the difficulty I have had with exercise in the past is keeping the momentum going. Now that I have set myself goals to reach, I am actually making headway.

Snacking between meals has been my biggest downfall, I don’t eat breakfast (which I know is one of the most important meals of the day), I sometimes eat a lunch late, or miss that too and then by the time I get home, I am really hungry. I then snack until my evening meal and by the time I have eaten, I've made up for lost ground! It’s hard to break out of this habit but with my new goals to reach (and willpower!), I am trying to alter this.

From an exercise perspective, I have implemented small but significant changes. I use the stairs not the lift, I walk to the train station and have recently purchased a hybrid bike. If I am to achieve my goal of entering at least 4 challenges within the Wessex Heartbeat calendar, I must be fit enough to complete them!

The really positive aspect of the Healthy Heart initiative is that I am changing my lifestyle for the better. If you would to request a visit from the Wessex Heartbeat team or for more information, please contact either myself or Melody Carter on 023 8079 5907 or email melody@heartbeat.org.uk.

Healthy Heart goes ‘on air’

The start of the New Year has proved to be a busy one already. The Healthy Heart initiative which has already rolled out in Chichester, Bognor Regis and Southampton is now in Portsmouth. Radio interviews with Darren Gamblen and Rob Davies, radio presenters at the popular Portsmouth Radio Station Express FM 93.7 has ensured that the Healthy Heart message is reaching the local community. The radio station based in Arundel Street, Portsmouth has also agreed to take part in a Healthy Heart session and publicise the event on-air so that listeners will get a practical insight into how you can look after your health and suggestions on how to keep fit and eat well.

If you would like to listen to the radio interviews, click on this soundbite to hear Darren Gamblen on the Morning show or follow this link to hear the series of podcasts http://expressfm.com/tabid/267/Default.aspx from The Volunteering Show on a Wednesday evening with Rob Davies.

Photograph includes Ellie Young, Producer and Rob Davies, presenter of The Volunteering Show