Rod Davis
Desperate enough?
Are you desperate enough? I know you want to be, perhaps you even have a deep desire for it, but are you desperate? Would you sell your car, all your possessions and live under a rock to follow a dream? Really? Really, really? This is the start of the conversation I usually have when I am asked about getting into the
professional yacht racing world, or doing an Olympic campaign, or an America’s Cup. Or just following a dream. People’s dreams are based on what they see and want to emulate for themselves. We visualise ourselves successful and on top. We all do that. Icebergs. That’s the reality. You know about the part you see vs
the underwater part you don’t see. In the visualising of your dream you are not looking at the 90 per cent under water that you don’t see… the bit it’s easy to ignore. You see the individuals who go to the Olympics and America’s Cup or get paid to race TP52s. The 10 per cent visible above the surface and you want to be like that. That is cool; dreams are cool. Gotta have a dream to have a dream come true. But before you chase your dream use those visualising skills to see how you are going to make your dream come true. Are you desperate enough? Enough to live in that world that
people don’t see which is under the radar, looking for the chance to get to the surface. It’s not that it is necessarily an unpleasant place. It can be wonderful and glorious following your dream. Just don’t go too far ahead of yourself when you start thinking of fame, glory or even money in your pocket. That may or may not happen. My wife and I recently had a conversation with the owner of a little
restaurant in Paris. He was 24 years old, and was formerly an actor. His dad was an actor too. We asked why he gave up on his dream. He said he wasn’t desperate enough; did not want to live hand to mouth, city to city, taking bit parts here and there without a defined path to achieve his acting dream. The restaurant was stable and much more to his liking. He was happier and more content. No regrets. I am not trying to kill dreams. Far from it. I spent my life chasing
22 SEAHORSE
my dream. Frankly it worked, because I have great support at home, a lot of luck, and I was desperate. It was a different time and the pathway has changed, but the mindset to follow your dreams has not. And will not change, ever. I am just looking at the reality of the commitment required to chase a dream. As a coach my job is to look for problems, for areas the team
or sailors need to improve on. You start with the ones that will have the biggest impact and work through the list. Fix one, move to the next. It’s kind of a negative world because all we think about are problems and then solutions. Even as the team is about to step onto the podium after a great regatta, coaches are working on the next regatta and what we need to improve on. So, with all that in mind, let’s assume you answered yes to the
desperate question. Not a weak yes, but an emphatic You’re Damn Right, Yes! Great, let’s get you on your way to your dreams. First, unless you are rich, don’t plan on buying anything other
than some toothpaste for a while. If you’re dreaming about yachting for a living, sell your car and any other assets you might have because you won’t have time for them anyway. Be aware, very aware, you will live on the smell of an oily rag for the next five years. There are a few things you can do to help your odds. First is invest
time and energy into another skill. Become a practical expert in hydraulics, electronics, winches, rigging. You need a second skill. Great sailing is not enough. This will set you apart from the others, your competition really, who are chasing the same dream you are. How do you do that? Volunteer. Go down to the local hydraulic
shop and say ‘I will work for free for the next two weeks if you teach me about hydraulics’. And use those internet skills to study up about it at night. You hear it all the time in sport: ‘He wanted it more than the
other guy’. The funny thing is that statement makes no sense. Both sailors want to follow their dream and have a burning desire to be successful. They both want it as much as they possibly can. Each ‘wants it’. The statement only makes sense if you change ‘want’
MAX RANCHI
MARK LLOYD
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96
