#682 Ahead of the Pack

One of the things I love about living n Indianapolis is the activity at the racetrack.   Yes, it is true, I am a race geek.   I love the cars, the drivers, the back story and the history. I have a favorite spot high in turn one for qualifications, and there is nothing quite like the feeling when you hear the call for , "ladies and gentleman start your engines!"

Watching the car and motorcycle races throughout the year one thing is obvious: winning teams can't sit on their laurels. If Team Penske assumed they didn’t need to change anything in their setup or engine configuration because they won last year, it's a safe bet they won’t be in the winner’s circle this year. If they continued to hold all elements constant, they would fall further and further behind their competitors at each race.

Why? Because racing is a competitive business. Someone is always raising the stakes, trying something new and challenging the status quo. Not every change works--for example, the 2012 Lotus engine program was a spectacular failure. But if you aren't willing to explore new options, sooner or later you will be left in the dust.

Most businesses are competitive. While the stakes may not be as high as they are in professional racing, if it's your business, the stakes are extremely high for you. So, what are you doing to make sure you finish the race on the podium? Are you:

Investing in equipment - If your PC or laptop is more than three years old, there is a good chance it isn't running the way it used to. Sure, you can clean it up, but you are probably better off just donating it to a worthy charity and getting a new one.

Testing new fuel - I know, it is a lot to keep up with. Just when you finally got used to the idea that Facebook isn’t just for kids, there are all these other platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and Tik Tok. I am not saying you need to be on all of them, but just like the race teams, you need to be testing different fuel mixtures to see what makes your marketing engine run best.

Learning new skills - Even the best drivers continue to train and practice. What about you? When was the last time you took a course, watched a webinar, read a book or learned a new skill?

In racing and business, if you are standing still, you are going to get passed. Make a commitment today to do the things you need to do to find yourself in the winner's circle.