Bill Nelson

So I write this as I sit on the beautiful Gold Coast of South East Queensland. It is time for our annual pilgrimage north to be part of the Association of Surfing Professionals first contest for 2011 the Quicksilver Pro.

As I walk around and catch up with people I haven't seen for a a few months and some I haven't seen for twelve months I you soon realise that for all of these professional surfers there moment of truth that is not to far away.

And although their profession or competitive environment maybe somewhat different to the day to day activities of you or I, in the end we all have that time when our moment of truth beckons.

That moment of truth may take on anyone of a thousand and one identities:

• Sitting for a final exam
• Asking someone to marry you
• Cooking for your first major dinner party
• Job Interview
• Going for your drivers licence

All of these instances, (surfing contest included) are a moment of truth. That time, when you cannot run, you cannot hide, you just face your fears step forward and announce to the world. Here I am.

So the real question is when that moment of truth comes what emotions will you be experiencing? How will you be feeling about what lies ahead? What will the emotional barometer be saying to and about you?

The reality is then when you, me, the surfers in the Quicksilver Pro or anyone else for that matter get to that one moment in time there will be one of two emotions that we will be experiencing.

Excitement

or

Fear

The fear aspect will more than likely come from the realisation that you are unsure of what the future will hold. You are unsure of the future because you understand the past.

By this I mean when your moment of truth is near and more than anything you begin to realise that you have not prepared to the degree you should have. You haven't done the hard yards. You haven't paid the price in anyway shape or form.

And it is at this time that all the reasons and excuses about how and why your find yourself in this position are, well basically useless.

You are to some degree fearful and unfortunately your fears are well founded.

Time has caught up with you, you haven't done the right thing and now there is no time to do anything other than roll the sleeves up, take on your moment of truth and just see what happens.

Hey you might be lucky, you never know.

On the other hand for those that are excited for their moment of truth they know they have done the work, they have done everything possible to give themselves the best possible chance for success.

They know they have done everything possible to be in the best possible place. They have consciously prepared in all areas, and in all ways. Be it physically, psychologically or technically they have done what was required, and then some.

They have paid due diligence to each and every aspect that can and will have an affect on the outcome they seek.

So as I look at the surfers that are preparing to compete their is a mixture of both Fear and Excitement.

But the most important question is....... Where will you be when your moment of truth comes around?

The Journey Continues!