Without the secret knowledge, he will not reach his full potential in the current season. Sure, you’ll eventually learn the secrets, but don’t expect to learn them through your own racing experience.

Or worse yet, in 20 years you may look back and wish you had learned much sooner. These 10 process ideas will lift you to full potential before you discover it on your own. Even if he is adopted, he may not end up on the pro circuit, but he will develop like a pro.

1. Identify tri books for your curriculum reading list*.
2. Establish a “Treat for Tri Tips” fund. Seed it at 5% of your annual race fees. What are you doing to mimic what professional triathletes and elite age groups are doing and get the best results in races? I dont know? Ask experienced runners to share their top tips. Spend the funds to buy them post-workout recovery snacks to show your gratitude.
3. Develop three-specific competencies linked to the learning objectives. Make sure the highest priority items are addressed first. Use metrics for value-added feedback.
4. Talk to a mentor and leaders at work at least weekly about learning opportunities there. Look for combined benefits of business and three skills. Be open to adopting similar job profession items to up your triathlon game.
5. Hire a triathlon coach. Select one who knows sports, business, life, and parenting to maximize cross-pollination of concepts across silos.
6. Consider becoming a member of a triathlon expert group to be exposed to a greater understanding of improved performance opportunities.
7. Ask for feedback on your specific progress. Compare your actions with those of triathletes who are already at the top. Learn new processes to maximize improvement. Adjust when necessary. Repeat the cycle.
8. Be brave. Manage your time effectively and selfishly by saying no to activities identified as out of scope for your tri goals or your tri journey, if already established.
9. Move your status quo. In a routine of doing your same favorite workout every weekend? Do you have too many jerseys from the same race and only the year is different? Are multiple sprint distance races slowly driving you crazy? Change your routine now! Be open to new approaches. Make changes based on your ability, risk profile, and potential. You control your decisions.
10. Push your limits. Know your limitations. Cultural Honor Race. Be intense. Stay relaxed. Smile. Laughter. Most trainers will not open access to these items for the majority of their athletes unless you ask them to or you already use a great trainer.

Your best effort earned praise in elementary school. In college, the best results got the best grades. The fastest times in the pool and on the track earned podium places. You need your best effort and best results with the fastest times. Rarely does a triathlete enter the sport as a natural and expert in all three legs.

One of the fastest ways to get up to speed is to learn from other experts who are already in the sport. I learned from two different Olympic track and field coaches at two different levels. A third Olympic coach taught me how to swim competitively from a 25-yard sprinter to 2.4 miles in open water without a wetsuit. And I easily spent four figures of my tip fund supplying drinks to training partners who made multiple Olympic teams in track, swimming and triathlon. While racing and training reveal the answers over time; asking, listening and imitating others accelerates the learning curve.

Ready for class? Become a triathlete who learns everything. Prepare a specific triathlon curriculum for yourself.

Learn the best way to get to the top in the triathlon school of life. Accelerate your triathlon learning curve by discovering the best content across the matrix of sport, business, life and family to benefit all of these silos.

Learn from those who are already at the top of the triple pyramid. Choose quality over quantity. Look up the ROI of time with effortless ease. The best options aren’t easy, but they don’t overcomplicate activities or take up time. Include learning objectives with metrics in your training program. Be sure to measure your progress.

Do you need guidance?

Consider working with a high caliber coach to define your journey and start working on your legacy.

Solicit feedback on actions. Ask your trainer for her ideas on the secret sauce.

What’s your secret to meeting being a high achiever from being a hi-pot? How did you gain the respect of your coaches to know their points of view? How did you influence or help others to experience great results?

* Bonus points for reading the books.