Bob Barton’s Post

Typically I don’t post personal stuff on LI but a big part of who I am as a leader in an organization has to do with my personal habits and my mental approach, and after last weekend I fell compelled to share. Last weekend I competed in the Wellfleet Sprint Triathlon. With a sprint distance in mind, this is not the most intense competition and as my sixth race of this type, not a massive one. But this was not about me, it was about the seven friends I convinced to do it with me. Something changes when you have a crew, at least it did for me. They were my primary focus. I went into this race with a “no where place” in mind for how I would finish. I was able to focus on the energy of the crew. Nerves and excitement-we laughed and struggled, danced then got focused. (and don’t get me wrong, I still wanted to place). As you can see from the video, we had a blast. And, funnily enough we had 6 out of 9 folks on the podium. #proud TLDR: discipline, rigor, and hard work need to go hand and hand with flexibility, optimism, and a healthy appetite for ambiguity. You can have the best strategy in mind but you don’t know exactly how things are going to work out. Plan, but also focus on the moment you are in, and make it the best it can be. In the end we all have to manage ourselves to be able to contribute effectively. (Place in the race.) Having a bit of fun while you do it (smiles) will create a culture where people thrive and win. And it will feel easier. Who doesn’t want that? ;) Huge shoutout to our rainbow unicorn clad videographer artist extraordinaire Virginia Spell and my rowdy crew of amazing triathletes, you know who you are. #manageyourself #flexiblestrategy #leadbyexample #goodvibesmatter #discipline #rigor #optimisim #focus #thrive #win

What am I missing on this list? ***Cross Country Life Lessons Everyone Should Follow** 1) Your race doesn’t finish until all of your teammates cross the line. 2) Being unhappy with your race doesn’t prevent you from being happy for your teammates. 3) Cheer for every runner, but go f&$king balls to the wall for your teammates. I hated running by people who just stood there silent, especially on areas of the course with no one else around. It was a strange moment of human interaction, someone choosing to not encourage another person. 4)Positive encouragement works. When you have seen someone pick up their pace, raise their eyes, and find a new gear, just because another human showed them that they believed they could- you can never doubt the power of positive encouragement. Leaders- use that in the workplace! 5) Pace yourself. Don’t get distracted by others, let them run their own race. You run yours, trust in yourself- you be you. 6) The race is won on the hills. I love hills. I love uphills. And that is where I was taught you win races. If you can learn to love the hard, the climb, life becomes a lot more fun. 7) The climb doesn’t end at the top of the hill. It’s at the top that people let down their guard. They relax. Keep pushing forward and you’ll reap the rewards. The 1st XC race of the season for junior high runners is on a course I ran all 4 years of high school, 20 plus years ago- and it never fails to make me incredibly happy inside to be back surrounded by so many runners. What makes Cross Country so amazing? Oh so many things. But one thing that I wish could translate into real life is this: There is no booing in XC, no visitors vs home team sides. Everyone is mixed together, talking and cheering. We could all use more of that. #crosscountryrunning #xcrunning #xclife #crosscountryrunner #highschoolsports #lifelessonslearned #theobstacleistheway #stoicmindset #championmindset #mindfulleadership #weareinthistogether #mindfulparenting

This past year in Hollywood was a rollercoaster - unpredictable and full of twists. Yet, just like in skateboarding, it taught me the importance of staying scrappy, persevering, and knowing when to pivot. Growing up skating instilled in me a resilience and an independent style that I've carried into my career in the film industry. It’s not just about landing the perfect trick; it’s about getting up again after you fall. My approach to creative editorial work is infused with this spirit. This year, more than ever, reminded me of why we pursue our passions. It's not just for the thrill of success but for the love of the craft. In the face of instability and surprises, my passion for film, much like my passion for skateboarding, keeps me going. It's about falling down seven times but standing up eight. If you truly love what you do, you find that inner strength to persevere. To everyone navigating their path in creative fields or any profession, remember: the passion for your craft is your biggest motivator. Stay true to it, embrace the falls, and keep pushing forward. The ride might be bumpy, but it's worth every moment. Let’s keep rolling into the future with resilience and style. The ride? Totally worth it.

Did you know sports and writing are life? Hear me out. I was listening to a podcast on the art of standup comedy (Let's Talk About Sets with Jeff McBride and Harrison Tweed) where the guest, Harrison Greenbaum, said he was about to share the secret algorithm of writing a great joke. Obviously, I stopped what I was doing and got ready to take notes. What he shared was so simple and so hard and so obvious, I had to laugh at myself for thinking there could actually be an easy formula for success. His advice: Write a joke. Try it on stage. Revise and repeat until it crushes every single time. I know this to be true, and yet I still clung to this hope that someone else would have an answer for me. But the only way to become good at *anything* is to do the thing, honestly assess your performance, modify, and keep doing the thing. This is true of ALL the things. The blog I started in 20007 was a cringe-y mess for a long time until I found my voice. Which I found (and am still developing) by continuing to write in public, over, and over, and over again. The marathons and Ironmans and every other endurance event I've finished were a result of showing up to complete a workout, and no matter how it went, showing up to complete the next one, over, and over again—even though it took me years to stop seeing myself as the kid who could barely finish the mile during the presidential fitness test. This weekend, I finished a gravel race that pushed me waaay beyond the edge of my comfort zone. There were sandy, rutted sections, chunky, steep sections, and descents that made my heart race more than the climbs- and, again, I realized, the only way to become the type of cyclist who can confidently handle challenging terrain is to saddle up, try the terrain and see what happens. With that in mind, I'm hitting an open mic on Thursday to keep testing jokes until they crush and exploring a new-to-me technically challenging trail on the gravel bike on Friday:) Is there something you're doing to get out of your comfort zone? Tell me about in the comments! Pic of me before said gravel race. (I don't think I looked too cheerful post-race!) #writing #sports #motivation

Comparison is a killer ☠️ We can often find ourselves feeling like failures and imposters because our behind-the-scenes reality doesn’t match up with the final, polished product that we see from others. Comparing yesterday’s post to this one, you can see that the scenic, serendipitous skateboarding trick, which may have appeared effortless, actually required dozens of tries, a few tumbles and lots of learning to balance on a long curved ledge while popping over at the end to avoid the turf below. We don’t learn much from things that come easy to us. Furthermore, if most things we do are easy, we likely aren’t pushing our limits far enough. We must be willing to take a “falls” if we truly want to grow 🌱🌿🌲 The key is finding the joy in the process - the new learnings from each attempt, and defining success as progress rather than perfection 📈 How can you push your limits this week to become better tomorrow than you are today? #DLCdrop #Learning #Failure #Success #Growth Davidson Learning Company

🏃♂️👟 Explore Mastering the 20K Distance: A Runner's Journey. Learn about the significance of reaching running milestones, both personally and professionally. #RunningGoals #20KTraining #RunnerJourney

I came last in my age group in a 10km race, and I couldn't have been happier! At the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, I met a couple of Australian runners in the pre-start area, helping them out when they couldn't quite snap the selfie they were after. They were good friends - one was a personal trainer, and the other was running her first ever 10k, trained by her friend. Our newbie runner was nervous, because her top training distance was a 7.5km run-walk. The crowd of runners stretched out quickly once the race started. We moseyed along, chatting, laughing, and admiring the waterfront course. And we were SLOOOOOOOW! 🐢 In fact, we were some of the last on the course. When we crossed the finish line, our newbie runner looked at her watch, then shouted 'I can't believe it! I did it! I didn't walk at all! And I was 10 minutes faster than my goal!'. Cue tears and laughter and hugs all round. Even before race day, I knew I wouldn't be on the podium, but I hadn't expected to be last in my age group. And yet, I was delighted - not only had I had some fun company on the course, but I had been lucky enough to witness to someone breaking through their own barriers. And I was also damn proud of my last place effort. Because someone has to be last - but that person is always ahead of those who never even tried. So, if you - or someone you know - ends up in last place, celebrate that as evidence of having had the gumption to give something a go. And no matter how slow you go, like my Mum says, "You're always going faster than your couch!" _________________ Hi, I’m Daria 👋🏻 ✨ I help professionals find and work in their Zone of Genius. ➡️ I work with teams and individuals. 💡 Follow me for ideas on how to build sustainable performance by understanding individual strengths. #strengths #PersonalStrengths #running #mindset #challenge #LifeLessons

I came last in my age group in a 10km race, and I couldn't have been happier! At the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, I met a couple of Australian runners in the pre-start area, helping them out when they couldn't quite snap the selfie they were after. They were good friends - one was a personal trainer, and the other was running her first ever 10k, trained by her friend. Our newbie runner was nervous, because her top training distance was a 7.5km run-walk. The crowd of runners stretched out quickly once the race started. We moseyed along, chatting, laughing, and admiring the waterfront course. And we were SLOOOOOOOW! 🐢 In fact, we were some of the last on the course. When we crossed the finish line, our newbie runner looked at her watch, then shouted 'I can't believe it! I did it! I didn't walk at all! And I was 10 minutes faster than my goal!'. Cue tears and laughter and hugs all round. Even before race day, I knew I wouldn't be on the podium, but I hadn't expected to be last in my age group. And yet, I was delighted - not only had I had some fun company on the course, but I had been lucky enough to witness to someone breaking through their own barriers. And I was also damn proud of my last place effort. Because someone has to be last - but that person is always ahead of those who never even tried. So, if you - or someone you know - ends up in last place, celebrate that as evidence of having had the gumption to give something a go. And no matter how slow you go, like my Mum says, "You're always going faster than your couch!" _________________ Hi, I’m Daria 👋🏻 ✨ I help professionals find and work in their Zone of Genius. ➡️ I work with teams and individuals. 💡 Follow me for ideas on how to build sustainable performance by understanding individual strengths. #strengths #PersonalStrengths #running #mindset #challenge #LifeLessons

I came last in my age group in a 10km race, and I couldn't have been happier! At the 2017 World Masters Games in Auckland, I met a couple of Australian runners in the pre-start area, helping them out when they couldn't quite snap the selfie they were after. They were good friends - one was a personal trainer, and the other was running her first ever 10k, trained by her friend. Our newbie runner was nervous, because her top training distance was a 7.5km run-walk. The crowd of runners stretched out quickly once the race started. We moseyed along, chatting, laughing, and admiring the waterfront course. And we were SLOOOOOOOW! 🐢 In fact, we were some of the last on the course. When we crossed the finish line, our newbie runner looked at her watch, then shouted 'I can't believe it! I did it! I didn't walk at all! And I was 10 minutes faster than my goal!'. Cue tears and laughter and hugs all round. Even before race day, I knew I wouldn't be on the podium, but I hadn't expected to be last in my age group. And yet, I was delighted - not only had I had some fun company on the course, but I had been lucky enough to witness to someone breaking through their own barriers. And I was also damn proud of my last place effort. Because someone has to be last - but that person is always ahead of those who never even tried. So, if you - or someone you know - ends up in last place, celebrate that as evidence of having had the gumption to give something a go. And no matter how slow you go, like my Mum says, "You're always going faster than your couch!" _________________ Hi, I’m Daria 👋🏻 ✨ I help professionals find and work in their Zone of Genius. ➡️ I work with teams and individuals. 💡 Follow me for ideas on how to build sustainable performance by understanding individual strengths. #strengths #PersonalStrengths #running #mindset #challenge #LifeLessons

I hate running. AND I sign up for 10k races all the time. Why? Three reasons. 💚👟 I love, love, love walking. That includes power-walking while a bunch of runners zoom past me. 🏆🏃♀️ I enjoy the atmosphere of a race. Dedicated individuals who’ve been training at their craft, coming together to push themselves and compete with peers. 🚿🥶 Regularly coming in last place is like an ice-cold shower for the ego: It’s super uncomfortable and allegedly healthy for me. I mean, there’s nothing quite like purposefully striding up a hill, picturing how I’ll beat my personal record if I keep up my pace, and having my reverie interrupted by a Random Park Grandpa nodding at me with pity, half-heartedly cheering at me and insisting: “Don’t give up! You can make it to the finish!” 😹 But here’s the thing: My goals are not other people’s goals. And you probably have a goal or two that doesn’t match others around you. There’s a lot to be gained from sticking to your own objective. Even if it sometimes feels awkward. Even if—and INCLUDING if—it feels like others are progressing way faster than you. Even if your office or personal circle has a Park Grandpa equivalent -- well-meaning, and saying exactly the wrong thing. Because otherwise, you won’t get to feel the satisfaction of both your journey and stepping over the finish line. What’s a goal or project you’re working on that’s different from most people around you? *Pictured: me, breaking into a jaunty sprint when I see the race photographer… and slowing right back down as soon as I’ve passed by.