Tony Williamson - Dollar for your thoughts

"We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems."

The big day arrived for Seabiscuit. The Pimlico racetrack was filled to capacity. Thousands were allowed inside the track to stand, joining the thousands seated in the stands. This was the race of the century, a two-horse race between the powerful, unbeaten War Admiral and the small maverick Seabiscuit. America shut down for the event. Offices were closed, people sat in groups and listened to radios.

Seabiscuit was to be ridden by another jockey since his jockey, 'Red' Pollard, had suffered an accident and was hospitalised. Pollard gave the new jockey some advice. He told the new rider that Seabiscuit would jump first and would initially lead. But, at a certain point in the race, he should restrain Seabiscuit and let War Admiral catch up with him.

Competitive spirit

He explained to the jockey that Seabiscuit had an extraordinarily competitive spirit. If Seabiscuit was able to look into the eyes of any opponent, that generated a turbo drive that would rocket him ahead of any horse whose eyes made contact with his.

The race began and Seabiscuit jumped first and was leading War Admiral. Then the jockey eased him up and the feared War Admiral came beside him. They ran head to head, a fantastic piece of cinematography. Then Seabiscuit took off like a rocket and this rejected, unknown, small apology for a racehorse rose up to overthrow the king of the track, the feared War Admiral. America went wild.

But what is the lesson here? Confronting your fears. Fear often cripples and disables. Seabiscuit left War Admiral for dead. You, too, must confront your fears, look them in the eye and leave them behind you. Confront and leave behind you the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of people. Race ahead in life to the greatness to which you were called, leaving your fears behind you.

High points in your career

This victory by Seabiscuit was not the high point of his career. Not long after winning this race, tragedy struck. He suffered a life-threatening injury to his foot and, according to the vet, would never race again. The vet offered to 'put him down' for owner Charles Howard. Howard refused and answered, "You don't throw away a life just because it's banged up a little."

Seabiscuit's life was spared and what was described as a disadvantage to him, and was part of the reason for his earlier rejection, became his ally and saviour. Seabiscuit was small and light. He did not have the traditional weight of the average, successful racehorse. So, over time, with less weight to contend with, his leg healed, much to the surprise of the experts.

And here's the lesson: Often what seems a disadvantage in your life can become your greatest strength over time. Physical limitations and adverse circumstances are not necessarily meaningful limitations. Accept yourself for who you are, maximise your strengths and turn lemons into lemonade.

Seabiscuit not only recovered from a life-threatening injury, defying the odds, but went on to win his greatest races after his darkest moment. And so it is with life. The best things of your life often happen after the worst things of your life. People who thought it was all over when their house burned down, when they suffered a heart attack, when they endured a painful divorce, often rise up after that to experience the best of times from the worst of times.

This is my final article on Seabiscuit and I trust you found the series helpful and interesting. The lessons from Seabiscuit are that your best is yet to come. Don't give up, even if you have suffered tragedy. If you suffer catastrophic loss, do not look upon what you have lost; look upon what you have left. If you have the will to overcome, courage in the face of trials, your best is yet to come.

Tony Williamson is an international motivational speaker, sales trainer, author and lifestyle consultant. Email tonywilliamson_57@yahoo.com.