Who We Are (Part 5) - Hard Work

This is a place to share a little bit about who we are as a company, and today, it’s a place to share about something that’s been on my mind. I’ll start with this: We here at Multisport Maps work hard. You might recognize it… it’s the same phrase I used to open a similar piece a couple weeks back. Then, I was talking about hard work as brute force – the hours I put in, and the stuff I get done. But now, I’m talking about hard work in a slightly different way – a way that goes beyond time or production, and on into emotional dedication.

Maybe this will help explain: Since the end of last season, I haven’t been swimming much, so when recently, I started again in earnest, nothing felt right – my balance was off, my timing was off, and I didn’t have a feel for the water… I was just bad. But, I put in the work. Not just pounding-out-the-yards work, but work doing the drills, and the work to keep showing up when it felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere. In other words, I was willing to do the real hard work – to have the patience to do it the right way, even when I had reason to doubt.

And sure enough, the other night, some things clicked, and I swam faster, easier, and more efficiently than, perhaps, I ever have. It was a blast to swim well again, and reminded me of the skills I use to be a better athlete, and really, that I’ve used to create Multisport Maps. At times in the past year, while launching the company, I’ve felt like I did in the pool - slow, unskilled, and overwhelmed. But just like with my swimming, I kept going… I worked hard. And just like hard work in swimming isn’t all about doing 5k days(though there are some), hard work at Multisport Maps isn’t all about putting in the 13-hour days (though there are some) – it’s about following my vision, even when I have reason to doubt – it’s about taking the time doing it the right way.

And that’s what you have here. The result is this website, and even more so, the one that’s being developed for next spring. Again, we at Multisport Maps work hard. No matter what’s happening, we’re willing to make the effort to do it right. To tell you the truth, I don’t know exactly how it’ll turn out – if the site will be a hit, or not even close. But to a certain extent, that’s out of my hands. All I can do now, is execute my vision, and of course, be willing to work hard to do so. That, I know I can do.

Who We Are (Part 4) – More Than Money

I was giving an interview the other day, about being a young entrepreneur. I was asked how it felt to be successful this early in life. Well, I had to laugh. The thing is, Multisport Maps won’t start to make money until next spring. Even then, it’ll probably be a few years until it’s really churning. And don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to it. I want the business to be successful, and I want to make money. But, even now, I can see that the company gives me more than that. I’ve had the opportunity these past few months to travel the whole state – to see a lot of places, to meet a lot of people, to train a ton, and to spend more than half my nights under the stars. More than the enjoyment of all these things even (and there’s been a lot), it’s been a formative experience that as a 22 year-old, I’m thankful to have had.

So, while I had a chuckle with the question about success, my answer was serious. I may not yet be financially successful, but so far, I’ve been successful in creating the life I want to live. It feels exhilarating, challenging, fulfilling, and ultimately, it feels right.

Me at my primitive campsite a couple days ago:

Who We Are (Part 3) - Taking Time Off

We here at Multisport Maps work hard. When I’m home, I’m in the office throughout the day, and often into the night. When I’m on the road, I routinely log 12-hour days. Now granted, these hours are spent driving around, riding my bike, and doing things I like to do, but the point remains… we work hard.

Especially on the road though, I have to be watchful that I get rest too. A stretch of traveling and mapping, without any significant downtime, always takes its’ toll - I have less energy, less motivation, and generally, do a worse job in creating the product I’d like to create. Too much work, without sufficient rest, works contrary to my long-term goals.

So, while I constantly want to get more done, I’ll always stop for a break. I keep a growing list of things that are, no questions asked, worth stopping for: a nap, good food, a workout, talking with friends and family, a ballgame, hitting golf balls, reading a book, going bowling, catching a movie, or even going on a date. Though I may miss a couple hours of valuable work time while I’m out on the course or taking a nap, these things keep me balanced, and keep me excited. I may have seen a few less roads last week, and won’t be able to visit that shop until tomorrow, but I feel better, and because I do, I’m sure the final product will be better too.

It’s all a part of the consistent, patient approach that we take in our training, racing, and in our work. Now that I think about it, I’m about due for a break – I’m going for a hike. If you’re looking for me tonight, I’ll be watching the ball game.

The picture is me (w/ backed turned) taking some time off, with my father and his girlfriend in the row boat, my two best friends in the kayaks, and fellow swimmers Hank Lange and Steve Tavella (off-camera). It was a great day:

Who We Are (Part 2) - Staying Present

Multisport Maps will grow. At some point, the website will cover the entire country, maybe even the entire globe. I look forward to that day… I want the company to grow. However, I know that will bring different challenges. Challenges inherent in bringing in investors, hiring employees, setting up a management structure, and so on.

I'm looking forward to those challenges, and will accept them when they come. But, I'm careful to not get caught staring off into the future. I want to enjoy the present. I want to enjoy what I'm doing now; business trips don't mean staying in hotels and going to meetings, they mean camping and riding my bike. They mean exploring, having fun, and most of all, they mean working hard to create my own product.

That's pretty cool, and I'm appreciative for the opportunity to do what I'm doing. While we're working hard to grow as a company, and we're operating with an eye toward the future, it's important to us to appreciate such things – to work toward the next step, but always enjoy and embrace where we are now.

Me at the worksite, last week: