Wipe Out!
Did you get this from Ira Riklis and his skiing experiences? It can apply to business and having a solid mindset.
Of course, I wouldn’t advise it for beginners — only those who have practiced and worked to a level of confidence.
At that point, you do not consider falling – only look towards your success:
“It occurred to me that the skis are designed only to go straight, no turns or stops, and the suit, which is designed to act as a slipstream for air currents, would have no traction in the snow if he fell. I asked Mike what would happen if he fell. Mike told me that they would be finding pieces of him two to three counties away. I then asked how he was going to insure his safety. Mike responded that he did not intend to fall. How could I argue with such as simple, but effective, plan. As I said above, thank God, but Mike is retired from both sports and is in fine health. Now instead he hang glides by jumping off mountain cliffs, much safer.”
You’re never too old to succeed. What you think and do becomes who you are. What your business becomes reflects what you have become.
Now go after it!
I wish I had a video of Ira Riklis skiing. Does anyone know where I can find one? We have the story of Ira Riklis and his love of skiing (from the interview). Now I wish we also had footage. The blog tells the story about his hobby of skiing and how he learned in Colorado which is spectacular.
I did find a video on YouTube about Ira’s favorite place to ski: Vale, Colorado. It’s summer now but this video will get you ready for ski season!
Ira has several stories from skiing – it could be a short book. Maybe Vale ski resorts should make a handbound limited edition book and include this story (as a promo piece). They could include stories from other lifelong skiers.
Here it is, the entire story of Ira’s skiing adventures:
Ira Riklis Interview: Part 1
Ira Riklis Interview: Part 2
Ira Riklis Interview: Part 3
Ira Riklis Interview: Part 4
Ira Riklis Interview: Part 5
Ira Riklis Interview: Part 6
And last of all: another skiing story from Ira.
Ira Riklis says God watched over him when he skied:
“God was watching over me because I was aimed directly at the entrance door to the lodge and there was a canopy over the entrance with supporting columns. Just before I was to hit the door, I grabbed onto one of the columns and was able to bring myself to a stop. It is amazing but I didn’t hit anyone else, I was uninjured, and there was no property damage –go figure.
It’s going to take an act of God to keep him skiing too! But skiing is one of Ira Riklis greatest pleasures in life. Even though his reflexes are slowing. And then he also uses this money metaphor (fitting): “I am beginning to slow down and be more cautious that I not write checks that my body cannot cash.”
We’ve all been there Ira. Wishing that we had eternal youth, eternal energy. But hey, at least you were spared to ski again! Who do you most want to ski with Ira? Any idols?
For now Ira is still skiing. Him and Stein Erikson.
Watch out below!
Ira Riklis loves to ski and his favorite ski resort Vail, Colorado. He has been skiing for almost 45 years. He calls himself “a mountain cruiser” skiing on steep groomed slopes. Funny enough he skis on racing skis and doesn’t do moguls. Like in his business life it’s all about the speed. Not one to show fear or hesitate, he started going fast right from the beginning.
In his own words Ira Riklis tells this hair raising story of learning to manage speed on the ski slope:
“I’m finally ready to ski. I point my skis down the slope and I begin to move. I feel the exhilaration of flight and I’m hooked. I’m just lovin’ it. I know that I’m going to be coming back again and again to get this feeling.
Nothing could diminish my thrill and pleasure, except . . . . It suddenly occurs to me, I don’t know how to stop! I’m headed downhill at what seems to me an incredible speed, I don’t know how to avoid the people in front of me and that’s not my real concern. I’m headed straight for the base lodge; this can’t end well …
God was watching over me because I was aimed directly at the entrance door to the lodge and there was a canopy over the entrance with supporting columns. Just before I was to hit the door, I grabbed onto one of the columns and was able to bring myself to a stop. It is amazing but I didn’t hit anyone else, I was uninjured, and there was no property damage –go figure.”
What I want to ask Ira is: how does your style of skiing reflect your business practices?