In the midst of our current prosperity*, most of us equate achieving our personal best with performance in activities such as triathlons or a bike race; completion of a significant project; acquisition of a new firm; a successful M&A; closing that big “deal”; increase in market share, etc. etc.  We appropriately rejoice over these achievements and celebrate with colleagues, friends and family.

* No, I have not “forgotten” about the global recession but truly, in developed countries, our standard of living, even with higher unemployment, reduced investment portfolios, etc. far outpaces many citizens of our globe.

A short time ago, I was humbled and reminded of other, perhaps more meaningful, examples of “personal best”. With my leadership team, I spent a day at a brain injury rehabilitation centre. As volunteers, we spent the day cleaning and clearing the garden, scraping, sanding and painting lockers, painting work areas, etc.  We had the great fortune to meet some of the centre’s clients who participate in rehabilitative therapy 5 days per week.  For privacy purposes, I will refer to one of the individuals there as “Alex” a fine gentleman who reminded me about the strength of the human spirit and re-calibrated my definition of achieving one’s personal best.

3 weeks after completion of his sixth Canadian Ironman and after achieving a “personal best” in that competition, Alex, in his 50s, was struck with a cerebral haemorrhage.  Upon his release from hospital, his family was told that he was simply a “ball of bacteria” who would soon die. When he first arrived at the rehabilitation facility his body was stiff and laid out; the only evidence of his awareness was eye movement and some finger movement.  That was 5 years ago.

On the day we visited, Alex played guitar and sang two songs for us – one in French. He told of us his 15 km wheelchair ride planned for the weekend – to raise money for stroke awareness. And when advised that forecasted rain and high waters might result in flooding of the course, he reminded us “but of course, I can swim”.  Stated “father of 6 and grandfather of 15 and 9/10” Alex clearly believed he had much to live for. When asked what had given him the motivation and determination to recover, a task that must have seemed insurmountable on many occasions” he responded, “an Ironman doesn’t give up”.

Alex’s efforts to recovery defined a new level of personal best for him and those who know him.  In addition to a deep sense of gratitude, I left that day with some questions – How do you measure your personal best?  Have you achieved all that you are capable of?

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