Maximization is the economics theory referring to a person gaining the maximum amount of something out of the resources available to that person. But what is that something? For some it’s profit, for others happiness, wealth, adrenaline intake, social harmony, euphoria (artificial/natural), yadda yadda.

Paolo Coelho in The Alchemist wrote that when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. I’ll bet that’s easy enough for people who know what they want – dream it, live it. But for everyone else, it’s a problem. Dare we dream, and spend a lifetime constructing plans accordingly, for the star that is beyond our reach? Or do we succumb to our environment and ignore the quest which has the risk of a potential lifetime of failure and regret?

With maximisation, it’s getting the most out of the resources available to you. Doing as much as you can to attain that goal with all that you have been given. Beware of the path that compromises moral integrity when reaching for goals at the top of the pile. Think EPO for cycling or fraud for business. Some see that as the easier path. I see it otherwise.

When thinking about getting the most out of life, my biggest stumbling block is white noise. The continual tug of war for my attention by the media, by advertisers, by email, by work colleagues, by friends and family, by my own ego. It builds up and blunts my senses leading to narcotisation. The quicksand stupour sedates my ability to differentiate what is important and what isn’t. I sometimes spend fifteen minutes trying to be the Yes-Man and finding a solution, when all I should really say is “No thanks” or “I can’t help you”.

What does this have to do with ’07 Resolutions? Well, in order to keep an eye on the ball, I need to differentiate between what is important and what isn’t. For 2006, the main goals I set out to achieve were:

• A Sub-2.10 at Lausanne Olympic Distance Worlds
• A Sub-4.50 at Florida 70.3 Worlds.

In retrospect, my focus strayed immediately with my attempt at my first ultra marathon in March. When I should have been focusing on cycling and getting strong for Worlds, I focused on excessive running. This misdirection inadvertently attributed to the exacerbation of inflammation in my Achilles tendon, which was the prime reason for me pulling out of Worlds at Lausanne.

My focus for the rest of the year changed to one of damage limitation and plenty of cycling. Luckily, I was able to salvage a 4.49 at Florida from the embers of a topsy turvy season.

In hindsight, my satisfaction with a good season was tempered with the question – what could I have done better? And the answers I keep arriving at, is that I could have done better if I had emphasized time maximization and narcotisation avoidance.

Here’s what I thought of:

• Strategise for the week ahead on Sunday evening, rather than 6am Monday morning
• What I thought impossible at the start of 2006, once overcome, became norm at year end
• Innovation before surrender
• Always arrive early, leave on time
• Avoid letting things pile up
• I’d have been sick less if I was more consistent with my resting
• Bad habits come back if you don’t persevere
• Manage your pace and the speed will follow

Bearing this in mind, I have decided to cement my resolutions (each a stepping stone to my main goals) for 2007.

1. One “A” Race
2. No sugar/processed food/coffee/wheat for January
3. Sub-3 Marathon
4. 1 x 15 swim session month
5. 2 x 10hr back to back cycling weeks
6. No narcotics

I’ve printed it out and placed a copy in my wallet to remind me what needs to be done.

What’s in your wallet?
RobbyRicc