Congratulations to Scott Jamieson, Vice President at Bartlett Tree Expert, who recently completed a “once in a lifetime” adventure. We asked Scott to share with us his journey to the finish line.
“I recently participated in a 600 mile, 7-day road cycling fundraising event called the Tour des Trees. This event raises money to identify and fund projects and programs that advance knowledge in the field of arboriculture and urban forestry to benefit people, trees, and the environment.
Seven months of training and 3000 miles on my bike getting ready for the Tour was intense and challenging but nothing really prepared me for what was to come over the 600 miles road trip. I’d have to say this was the toughest thing I have EVER done.
As an Enneagram Type Nine, I was so aware that I had to keep my eyes fixed on the goal of cycling 600 miles. Actually what really kept me motivated was the goal of completing the ride without ever having to ride in the “sag wagon” kept me riding each day in preparation even on the days I didn’t want to ride. Having a clear goal can be tough for me and yet this event taught me how important goal clarity is for my forward movement. What also kept me going were all the people who donated to my fundraising efforts. The very fact they gave money for the cause in my name gave me that obligation, that commitment to them to complete the task.
Day Two of the ride was particularly tough for me and as I rode alone along the Oregon coast I thought of the people who contributed to the cause, people who had made encouraging comments, and my family who put up with my long 4-hour training rides on the weekends. One “ah ha” moment along these roads was that I realized that I do best when I am not only doing something for myself, but for others, as well. Often I give more for others than perhaps I even do for myself and that motivated me to keep pedaling.
As a leader I always lead best when my purpose is clear, the goal is articulated and I have great people working with me. The Tour des Trees was a great example of that. We rode for nearly 100 miles each day and over the 7 days we had 30,000 in elevation gains. The miles-long climbs of thousands of feet at a time were nearly equally met with exhilarating downhill descents on the other side where I often reached speeds of 43 miles per hour as I hurtled past huge Sitka spruces and Douglas firs that lined our Oregon roads. There might not be an equal amount of down hills for every uphill in life but it is interesting to this Nine how “things always seem to work out.” Such is the needed balance when riding a bike and, for me, the balance in this journey we call our life.”
Thanks, Scott! Mary Anne and Theresa
