Let's Play: Why You Always Need A Fresh Challenge

From the smallest tasks to life's toughest obstacles, identifying meaningful goals gives you the sense of purpose and direction you need to keep growing strong throughout the lifetime. 

My training partner at University of Toronto who stroked our varsity freshman boat–Tim Jarsky, recently discovered a few photos from the Head of the Charles regatta and the San Diego Crew Classic that he shared with me. Our coach at the time was Olympian John Houlding who told us, "It's hard enough in life to get where you want to be even when you're crystal clear where that place is. It's near impossible to get there if you don't know where you are going."

Humans are like boats. If you take the rudder off, the boat doesn't perform well. But if you put a rudder on and row with purpose, with determination, with goals, suddenly there's direction and speed – as witnessed here with the mighty eight oar Vespoli shell in the process of defeating Harvard at Head of the Charles Regatta.

Without a challenge we are all at the mercy of the forces. As humans we perform best when we have a focus, it gets us through the storms, the struggles, the steep mountains – and brings out the best in us. Rowing in a boat with eight men giving their all at full tilt may be painful for some, blisters may appear, but like any struggle, they make us who we are. This boat went on to become one of the top crews in North America. Most of us made it to the Canadian National team in three years time. Many crew members went on to win silver at the World's after the fourth year. 

I celebrate the beginning of each new day at 5:30 am with a :30 minute 7,000 meters pull on the ergometer and then either a 7.0 mile uphill run or weights. I am presently training for the Big Sur Half Marathon. 

When I see people training or running races – myself included, it energizes me. I love the fact that it pushes us, shocks us, scares us and ultimately leaves us empowered, proud, laughing and revitalized. To me, it's proof positive that people like to have obstacles to conquer – but not just physical challenges. These principles cover so much of life. In your relationships, in your work, in your studies, in all arenas: aim high, accept it's not going to be easy, relish the struggle and go for it. Blaze a trail towards those obstacles and remember: if you've set yourself up for a real challenge, and you're doing it right, there should be only one path, and that's the one behind you.