Necessary Adjustments

When you feel out of sorts it’s difficult to focus on moving forward. Mild discomfort can make it hard to concentrate. Major discomfort makes it nearly impossible. Yet, alter, adjust or reposition and you’re golden.

You are probably sitting as you read this. Before long, staying in a given pose gets uncomfortable and you’ll eventually make a little cheek shift. Although this is an unconscious act, it would be quite conscious before long. Most of us are experiencing a fair bit of discomfort nowadays. It’s tough to ignore. Yet a simple alteration, adjustment or repositioning would allow you to clear your mind and carry on with amazing ease.

Men will readily identify with this next story but I imagine any woman with under-wire discomfort can relate – kinda sorta.

It was the year before the Olympic Winter Games in Albertville. The 1991 World Cup in Les Arc was buzzing with host broadcasters eager to prepare. Even our team was gearing up with brand new, tight rubber speed skiing suits. When I say tight, I mean, no-secrets tight.

A brand new speed suit is 2/3rds your body size. It becomes a new Olympic event trying to get it rolled onto the body. After 45 minutes of GynastiCatortionism the suit was on and I hurried out to the first qualifying run on the speed skiing track.

In my new, ultra tight rubber suit and smooth leather racing gloves donned I found myself struggling for a pinch hold. “Vince Poscente in the start area,” announced the starter. Ugh. I couldn’t concentrate but I had to get to the gate. Time had run out.

For the record; all men do this, not just skiers in tight rubber. Some are subtle (Pianists and Talk Show guests) and others are not (Baseball players and Hip Hop singers). In everyday life it takes a deft little tug on the pleats and it’s back to where a guy can concentrate.

Up against the start banner I had to resort to an all out, two-handed assault on the region in question. I looked like a cross between Beyonce and Steve Martin doing an interpretive dance to Bohemian Rhapsody. At last I gathered up a two-hand fold of speed suit and turned distraction into transcendence. Now I could give attention to the race.

I looked up and was surprised to see a French cameraman and sound guy, openmouthed, looking around their equipment as I adjusted mine. Ooops.

I gave the international sign for a guy’s gotta do, what a guy’s gotta do (a slight shrug, smirk and raised eyebrow) then blasted down the mountain. Of note; I completed the race with a new national record and my highest world cup ranking ever.

Remember this: when things aren’t right, you gotta do what you gotta do. It’s faster to readjust, realign and reposition. Get your mind on track and break some records of your own.

Vince Poscente is the author the of the best-selling book, "The Age of Speed". For information on how to bring him to your next event, visit www.premierespeakers.com/vince_poscente.