Sometimes opportunities fall at our feet. Sometimes we have to work until they appear. Either way, when they show themselves, strike decisively to maximize your chance of success.

In this years Tour de France, we have seen some pretty amazing examples of seizing opportunities when they show themselves.  On Friday the Australian born German Heinrich Haussler pulled off an amazing stage win that shows a great example of how to act descisively when an opportunity presents itself.  Known mainly as an up and coming sprinter, Haussler latched on to a breakaway group in a grueling climb in near freezing temperatures.  By the time they reached the summit, the group had fractured and he found himself with one other rider, Sylvain Chavanel.  But it was on the way down that  Haussler seized the opportunity to win the day.  Descending like a man possesed, by the time he reached the bottom of the longest climb of the day, Haussler’s bike handling skills and sheer verve helped him put such a distance between himself and all the other riders that, barring a crash, he was virtually guaranteed a spot on the podium.  Chavanel on the other hand, was extremely cautious, was afraid to descend at the speed it would take to keep up with Haussler, and seemed to lose his form and barely hung onto fourth place.  Overcome with emotion, Haussler crossed the finish line with a stage win that will go down as one of the best in the history of the tour.

Now don’t get me wrong, Chavanel is a great rider and I would love to be as good as he is.  There had been talk that he might be the first French hopeful for winning the tour in almost 30 years.  But after that stage, I’d put my money on the German.  Ja wohl!

But honestly, I feel like I’m only running at about 80%.  Sometimes more, sometimes less, but basically somewhat better than average.  And I’m tired of it.  I mean, why do something only most of the way?  Lately I’ve come to believe that what separates a great life from an average life is only that 20%.  You put in those extra miles on the bike.  Make that one extra sales call.  Sit down and read that book with your kids.  Talk to that cute girl that smiled at you, even if you think she’ll shoot you down.  You go the distance, not just most of the way.  I’ve heard it said that the perfect solution is the enemy of a good solution.  Maybe.  But I think the mediocre life is the enemy of the great life.  Could have been a contender.  Complacency kills.

It’s certainly not a lack of talent or ability.  I have that in spades.

I think it’s just comes down to the belief that it’s okay to have an average life.

Not anymore.

Richard Branson, Lance Armstrong, John Mayer.  They are constantly striving to live that exceptional life.  To challenge themselves to live their best lives.  That’s the sphere I want to be in.

Think of this as my manifesto to live fearlessly, a declaration of war on the mediocre life.  This life goes to 11.

Life, you’re on notice.