There was much buzz in the NASCAR racing world when Danica Patrick qualified for the pole position in the Daytona 500 last week. She became the first female to start from the front of the pack.
Unfortunately, she finished the race in 8th place.
Jimmy Johnson who began the race in the 9th position, took home the trophy.
There is much hype around who has the fastest qualifying round and becomes the lead off car, but there is no reason for rejoicing. The Wall Street Journal reported that since 2000, only one person starting at the pole has finished better than fifth, and the average overall is 16th place. No driver who started in second place has won since 1993.
"Starting position doesn't seem to matter a whole lot in the 43-car field," reports the Journal.
Where you begin doesn't matter in many things; where you finish is what counts. How many times have you heard of people that don't have natural talents, but worked hard enough to make the team? Of people with less ability but more determination and they went far? Of organizations with limited resources that made a real difference?
Don't be dismayed by not starting out in the pole position. Life, as at Daytona, is a long race. The checked flag is still yours to have with the right drive (pun intended) and persistence.
-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com
Thanks to Colleen, again!
Wall Street Journal, February 21, 2013, p. D7
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