Hartley - Could I do that?

A great question that all achievers ask themselves, and one which Simon helps us to explore with an in-depth look at the conversations that go on in the minds of some of life's inspiring achievers, who all answered that question and did it!

If you are asking yourself that question, this book is a vital tool in your toolbox; it's a powerful team mate.

Buy it. Read it. Do IT!

Andy McMenemy, world class endurance athlete and award winning inspirational speaker

A refreshingly honest read and thankfully completely devoid of hype. Loaded with practical advice on how to achieve your potential that will both inspire and engage you.

Paul McGee, The SUMO Guy, international bestselling author and speaker

The mindsets, approaches and techniques in Could I do that? are exactly what helped me to win two Olympic Gold medals, and Simon has a great way of bringing these to life so anyone can take these principles and apply them to their world.

Steve Williams, OBE, double Olympic gold medallist

The average lifespan is 4000 weeks. And the chances are, yours are whizzing by in a blur! Read Simon's book and do something BIG!

Andy Cope, bestselling author of The Art of Being Brilliant and happiness expert

If you've ever had a dream which seems out of reach, or a challenge that seems too big or too daunting, this book is for you. Find out how to achieve what you once thought was impossible.

Claire O'Hara, 5 times world champion, freestyle kayak and squirt boat kayak

This edition first published in 2014

2014 Simon Hartley

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hartley, Simon.

Could I do that? / Simon Hartley.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-857-08480-4 (pbk.)

1. Motivation (Psychology) 2. AbilityPsychological aspects. 3. SuccessPsychological aspects. I. Title.

BF503.H375 2014

153.83dc23 2013047981

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978-0-857-08480-4 (paperback) ISBN 978-0-857-08477-4 (ebk)

ISBN 978-0-857-08478-1 (ebk)

Cover design by Mackerel Ltd Internal pages designed by Andy Prior Design Ltd

Gripping the reeds, I crawled out of the freezing water up to my neck on a pitch black night in the middle of Dartmoor. I'd fallen into a hidden crevasse during a night navigation exercise with the Ice Warrior team, training with for what will be my toughest challenge yet; an 800 mile, three month expedition to the centre of the Arctic. The expedition has thwarted many explorers and our destination remains a place which has never been reached by any human beings. If successful, we will not only enter the history books, but we will be able provide a greater scientific and environmental understanding of the impact we have on the planet.

I have not entered into this challenge frivolously; it is perhaps an understatement to say that it will be immeasurably dangerous. There are countless unknowns, not to mention the cost. We are hoping we will be able to mitigate some of these with acute preparation, planning and risk analysis. As this book will remind you, if you fail to plan, then plan to fail.

It wasn't always like this. By the time I left school, I'd been bullied, failed every exam and been arrested as part of a shop lifting gang of nine boys. I was a good kid, but I was easily impressionable and my self-esteem was non-existent. But, I guess there must have been an adventurous streak in me; I'd also completed two tall ships races, spent five years training as a high board diver and completed the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award as a sea cadet. These were my passions, being active and outside. At 13, I had a few jobs; including paper rounds and door-to-door lottery cards. It seems that being an entrepreneur was also in my nature.

I've noticed that life is never straightforward. Challenges are inevitable; it's how we deal with them that is important.

After my 17th birthday, I joined the Royal Navy. I signed a 22 year contract and I loved it, but that wasn't to be. After nearly 10 years, I was medically discharged with a severe respiratory problem, within a year I was a civilian. I was devastated, I felt institutionalized and very lost.

My answer was to use this experience as an opportunity to change my life. I made the decision to start running and set out to run the London marathon, which I did in less than four hours. I also needed to work so I became a highboard diving coach. But the money was poor, so I started my first business; a sports shop. To be honest, I didn't have a clue about running a business and fewer than 18 months later, the business folded and all of my savings were lost. So, whilst working in factories, I began studying business and accountancy and completed a software and IT engineering diploma. I started again for the third time. Within a few years I was thriving as an IT consultant in the Dot.Com Boom in London and what a ride that was!

My recovery was short lived and in February 2002 it all ended. Whilst out on my bike, training for the London Triathlon, I was hit head on by a car and broke my back. Life became very difficult and extremely painful. I was no longer active and this had a serious impact on my mental and emotional wellbeing. I was not just physically broke, but again financially.