Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Backcasting

Look at this email I received from a co-worker, today. Earlier I asked him to make a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and support me in my quest to complete two half-Ironman and one full Ironman in 2006:

"What makes you so confident you can even complete your first Ironman? Isn't it too risky? Maybe I'll make a donation after you do your first, or if you decide to ever do another one."

Jeesh!

How do you respond?

Fire back a clever, piss and vinegar screed?

Ignore it?

After a few hours of chewing on the note I replied:

"Some say we’re headed towards the future. I believe the truth is the future is headed towards us. And it’s in a hurry. We also generally think that the present makes sense only in light of the past. Again, we need to check our thinking. The present makes clearest sense in the light of the future. Some people like you prefer to write history by looking at the past. I like to turn that notion on its ear and create history ahead of time. Why forecast when I could backcast? I’ll begin with the end in mind. The future is always incipient in the present. I'll see you after crossing the finish line. Have no doubt in the future. Now, how about making that donation?"

Stay tuned…

13 comments:

Deb said...

Ditto on the outstanding!! VERY well put.

Born To Endure said...

Oh yah....that was an excellent response..you'll have to let us know how you make out on this one!!!

Cliff said...

Great response Triboomer..

It depends on whom I talk to. If it is someone really close, I would fire back with with a sarcasim like...

..like...."if it ain't risky, why do it?"

greyhound said...

Response:

I know I will succeed, because I have already decided that I will succeed and have made the necessary preparations. Go ahead, bet against me if you like. Make your donation, and if you are so sure that I will fail, agree to match and double it again when you are wrong.

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

Greyhound,

Well said! May I use it?

Elizabeth said...

Whoa! Nice response, 'Boomer. I think you should consider Greyhound's tactic too!

Cara said...

Wow, I can't believe someone had the guts to write that to you. I like your response though. I look forward to an update on this.

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

Your response is much better than the one I might have written. Mine might have started with "that's the lamest reason I've ever heard for not donating to a good cause, get the stick out of your butt and pony up some dough, tightwad", and then would have degraded to naughty words.

but yours is really good, thoughtful and patient. And Greyhounds is good. well done!

Trisaratops said...

Are you freaking kidding me? Geez! Your reply is OUTSTANDING. Way to rise above the doubter note!

greyhound said...

Use it with my compliments. GO TEAM.

Lance Notstrong said...

That is a good reply!!! Way better than me.....I would have just called him an asshole.

Carrie said...

He had to donate after that response.

Veeg said...

You're a total class act! Your coworker. . notsomuch.