I couldn't feel it in my loins!

I went to our company Annual Conference last week and we finished off the day with the customary bit of team building...this time in the shape of Karting.
Now OnWeGo is all about doing things you've never done before....stretching your achievement limits....breaking the conventional link between maturity and sensible behaviour. So Karting met all of those criteria and I was definitely up for it.

I thought it would be a good opportunity to apply all the NLP training...to work on the inner resourcefulness...to get into the zone and all that.  Of course all the young dudes were doing their stuff...you know how excess testosterone makes them behave when there's a bit of a competition. And the mountain of pizza for lunch probably added to their hyperactivity. Even "IT" Rich couldn't resist pointing out that he left 10 minutes after me and still managed to arrive at the venue 10 minutes before me...clearly questioning my prospects at the Karting?? Mind games!! Huh!! They are easily dismissed, and I focused on my positive visualisation as I pulled on my Karting suit. That was the first problem! It seems that Karters are typically narrow of hip and getting into "the zone" proved difficult with my loins in a tournaquet! Choosing my helmet didn't help matters. "XL is blue" read the sign. My chosen blue helmet wouldn't go past my ears! "No!" Said an exasperated Rich. "it's the colour of the stickers on the visor."  I think he was being helpful? .. and not still playing mind games!

By now the positive affirmations were not working so well, and by the time the pre-race briefing had finished I suspected that I hadn't taken everything on board...and I was now numb from the waste down!!

For those that have never karted, let me explain that mental concentration and quick reactions are essential. I was decidedly lacking in awareness, both above the neck and below the waste...and it showed in my results!

Heats 1 to 3 left me languishing down the leader board and positive visualisation of a podium place was proving difficult. Now previously, in the warm up sessions, the testosterone soaked yahoos in the studio had laughed at the gentle driving style of the girls. This was bound to offend my old fashioned sense of gallantry... or maybe it was my dominant Assertive-Nurturing behavioural style that was taking over? But competitiveness was giving way to altruism.  I found myself turning my attention to encouraging the girls. Actually, I didn't have to turn at all. They passed me at will. Nor did I have to encourage them!!!

I didn't make the semi-finals. I had to endure the customary half-witticisms of Bill the Accountant. My kartsuit had to be peeled from my shoulders by a gracious and sympathetic Amie...bless her!  I even managed to get lost driving home.
So no personal glory for me but most definitely a good case for the "don't give up....keep on trying" spirit of  OnWeGo!  
Karting I will do again...... and next time????