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#6 – Joe Jacobi

Oct 11, 2017 | Something Significant Podcast | 0 comments

“Life is full of obstacle illusions.”
(Grant Frazier)

It doesn’t surprise me that an Olympic gold-medalist in canoe slalom has a unique perspective on overcoming obstacles. The Olympian in question is Joe Jacobi; he and his partner Scott Strausbaugh won a gold medal in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. During our interview, I asked him, “What obstacles have you faced in your pursuit of significance and how did you overcome them?”

I loved his answer.

Joe said that being a whitewater canoeist for almost forty years has taught him that, as we navigate the currents of our lives and careers, there are going to be rocks in the river. Up until a pivotal weekend in his life—which he describes in detail during our interview—Joe’s strategy for overcoming obstacles had been “staying as far away from all of the rocks as [he] possibly could; the further away from the rocks, the better.”

That one significant weekend changed things though, and Joe began to realize it had been a huge mistake: trying to avoid the so-called rocks. He started understanding that “those rocks create the magic of life,” and today, Joe tries to get closer to what he perceives as his obstacles, rather than avoiding them.

“When you come closer to your obstacles, you find a greater force of energy with which to work.” Joe has figured out that “those rocks (obstacles) are what create the current of our lives—the ‘river’ current of our careers.”

“You cannot succeed by trying to avoid the rocks. You’ve got to take the strategy of trying to come closer to them, where there is more force to align with, more magic with which to align. And that is how you get better. It’s by not running from your obstacles, but in coming closer to them.”

If you’re reading this, you are in for a real treat. The interview you’re about to hear is chock full of wisdom, inspiration, and a unique perspective on life from a highly accomplished, yet genuinely humble man, who cares deeply about helping others. Enjoy your time with Joe Jacobi.

Follow Joe…

Twitter | Facebook | Website

Joe’s book recommendations…

Choose Yourself by James Altucher

The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr

Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday

Turning Inspiration Into Action by Matt Gersper

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