a motorcyclist + scooter-ist in business

Arry's first 600cc morotcycle.

The above is my 2004 Honda 599 Hornet (matte black, 600 cc, naked sport bike - all stock, which I sold last year right before the summer in 2010 to the super duper excited present owner of the bike named Sammy.  I remember him calling me and emailing me telling me that he almost had enough money, and that he almost had the ride to come pick it up, and boy, when he came to finally pick it up, there was no doubt in my mind that the Hornet had found a good new owner.  Wow.  I'm still the proud owner of my 2004 PIaggio LT50 in pearlescent white - bought her off Craigslist - which is how I met my beloved business partner, Mina.  Isn't life just so interesting?

Past couple of weeks, the idea for this post came to me as I spent a lot of time on the road commuting back-and-forth to-and-from my clients - and while driving in my car, I thought about how much learning how to drive my two wheeled vehicles have really helped me in learning to drive better.  ... and then I thought, those same rules for driving my motorcycle or scooter, also apply to business (and relationships).  And, tah dah!

1. Wear the proper gear.  In motorcycle language, the most important of course, is the helmet.  (BTW - I never let my helmet out of my sight, ever.  I don't let the hostess take it for me, I know exactly how it's been handled - always.)The other items are just as important - the road can take off fingers and feet - so wear the gloves, the jackets, boots, etc... no matter what.  In business, that means dress appropriately for the occasion.  Your attire speaks about your brand and how much you care/respect your employer/client/etc... 
   
2. Do your own homework.  In the world of motorcycles, that means making sure your bike is in proper riding condition before you go out and ride it.  Don't ASSUME.  In business, that means even if you inherit a project or a process, always do your own homework to understand why a project is being run the way it is, or is in the situation it is, or why a process was created.  Do take the time to make that new project/process that you own, truly your own.
   
3. Anticipate.  As a motorcyclist, that means take into account the traffic conditions, temperament of people around you, the weather, the road ahead, your bike, your energy level, etc... and anticipate what is coming up before it comes up.  In business, that can mean understanding your boss/client/customer - and proactively doing what needs to be done before it has to be done.  Proactive action will always kick a reaction's ass.  Always.
   
4. You go where you are looking.  This is one of the biggest lessons I learned from riding my sets of two-wheeled vehicles - if I look right, I go right.  If I look left, I go left.  If I look ahead, I move ahead.  The same rules apply to business/life - those that can picture or see where they are going, tend to get there.  Picture it, see it - then make it happen.
   
5. Assume no one can see you.  Ride like you're invincible - when I first heard that, it sort of made sense to me, but not really.  Having been riding for about 6 years now, that means it really is up to you, the rider, to keep yourself safe.  A motorcycle, a scooter is no match for a car or a truck or an SUV.  This rule means take ownership of your own life and safety - and place yourself on the road that best protects you, should the car/SUV next to you not notice you (which is likely).  In business, I'd say I take this to mean I am the owner of my career and life.  I am responsible for taking proactive action to be in the right place at the right time and to take advantage of opportunities.  Raise your hand and proactively take advantage of them - don't wait for someone to notice you.
   
6. When in doubt, slow down.  On a bike, this is self explanatory.  A lot about riding has to do with mind over matter - if your mind is not clear, breathe and slow down.  Same goes with business, life, and relationships - mind over matter.  When your adrenaline is pumping and your emotions are screaming and your mind is in chaos - breathe.  Take a step back out of the situation and slow down.
   
7. Learn from the mistakes of others - because you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.  I say riding with or talking about riding with more experienced riders is always eye-opening.  Some of the crashes they've gone through - no one wants to go through.  I've crashed a couple of times - and boy does it hurt like HELL (which is why it's important to wear the proper gear).  Sames goes with business, life and relationships - take on mentors who'll be on your team coaching you towards success.  Mentors are not just for business and careers, but also for quality of life, personal goals, and relationships.  Despite how difficult it can be to accept advice from parents, most of the time, they are the best life/relationship coaches of all.
   
8. Keep looking around, there's always something you've missed.  In riding that means not only looking around for potential dangers and conditions as you anticipate - the greatest part about riding motorcycles or scooters is that you get to really absorb the world around you: the air, the smells, the sensations, the people, the scene, ...  It's a completely different experience than riding a car.  Riding my scooter downtown, I get hand waves, smiles, points, cameras ...  In business and in life - sometimes it means noticing the new haircut your special someone just got, the really fantastic view of Mt. Rainier outside the window, or noticing that your puppy really wants to play fetch.  Right now.  :)

Happy Father's Day for all of you with dads or that are dads out there.
For me, Happy Father's Day to all my pseudo dads in my life.  You made a difference in my life.

xo,
Arry