Some athletes smiled, other’s were intense and focused on their performance. Some looked tired, hurting. One stopped and threw up along the side of the road. Later that day, after the race was over ,my Wow moment occured.  We were walking back to our car when we crossed paths with an athlete who stopped us to say, “You’re the folks who were ringing the cow bells, right”? “Wow”, she said. “Your encouragement, your yelling to me telling me I will make it, got me across the finish line. I owe it to you.”

Who would have thought that cheers from total strangers would have such an impact? Cheers of encouragement from someone you never even saw before?  Is that what being a fan at those races is all about?  I was later informed by my son that it is the fans and those cheers of encouragement that athletes are told to focus in on so that they don’t focus on their tired legs or pain.

So this unique community of extreme sports, and dedicated fans is a where the WOW is shared and expected, appreciated, and greatly admired. Wouldn’t it be great if every day we could just offer a word of encouragement to a perfect  stranger—or better yet—how about those folks we know?  I challenge you to WOW someone today.

(Visit Fitz’s other communities at FocusAndSucceedNOW.com)