Turning Pro: Addicted to Distraction

Posted on November 4, 2012 by sethfargher

I recently finished reading a book called Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield.  The premise of the book was that most people spend their life as an amateur never truly reaching their full potential.   The amateur life is pretty much the norm.  Some might even call it the American dream.  We fit a mold, we go to college, get a job and live out our days for the sake of being comfortable.

Turning pro isn’t so much about achieving wealth, fame, success or greatness, but rather graduating from the amateur life of simply being “okay” when we know there is something greater we are called to.  For the author it was finishing his first manuscript.  He kept avoiding it, putting it off and coming up with any number of excuses as to why he could or should continue putting it off until he finally buckled down, eliminated excuses, blew of the distractions and turned wrote.

There was much in this book that resonated deeply with me, probably the most were his comments about distraction.

This year has been a great one.  I’ve traveled a great deal, I’ve covered events, I’ve gone on vacation and I’ve written more than any other season of my life.  But if I’m being completely honest, in the last seven months I’ve wasted hours, possibly days surfing Facebook, Youtube and scouring the Internet for nothing of value. Continue reading →

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A Log and a Speck

Posted on October 29, 2012 by sethfargher

For some reason I have a really detailed memory.  I can actually remember my third birthday and I can remember, with great clarity, a good portion of my elementary years.

There was a kid in my first grade class who’s lot in life seemed to be getting everyone else in trouble.  One day in particular, upon finishing our morning prayer, the fellow raised his hand and informed the teacher that one of the other students had their eyes open during the WHOLE prayer. Continue reading →

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Try Standing in the Shade of the Blood Stained Cross and Telling God He Owes you Something

Posted on October 23, 2012 by sethfargher

Have you ever felt like God was treating you unfairly?  Like you’re doing all that you can and no matter what you do, things just don’t seem to turn around.  Everyday it’s something else.  The kid is in trouble, the check engine light came on or your mom is back in the hospital.  It seems like life’s biggest challenges come all at once and so often it feels like there’s nothing more we can do.  We throw our hands up and blame God.

I know I have.

There have been times where I felt like I was trying to live out what I believed to be His will and nothing would stick.  Every door I knocked on was closed.  Not just closed but slammed in my face.  Every little victory was met with more defeat and on numerous occasions I recall throwing my hands up and shouting “What more do you want?” Continue reading →

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25 Do’s and Don’ts When it Comes to Sponsorship

Posted on October 18, 2012 by sethfargher

One of the many hats I wore while working for DWT/Motoworks was that of sponsorship director.  In that role I reviewed proposals and negotiated contracts for hundreds of racers from top professionals to first timers and everyone in between.  Having an insiders perspective on the sponsorship process and responding to literally hundreds of requests gave me a new understanding of the companies position when it comes to deciding who to help and to what extent.

Below is a compilation of Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind as you go about seeking sponsors to support your racing.  I may seem a bit brash in my explanations but every point is  addressed because it was a specific situation I dealt with at one point or another. Continue reading →

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First Impressions Can-Am Maverick

Posted on October 17, 2012 by sethfargher

I’ve had the unique opportunity over the last year to work with Can-Am on some of their television and web promotional materials.  You can read all about my first trip with Can-AM and driving their entire 2013 lineup HERE.

More recently I had the incredible opportunity to drive their brand new industry leading side by side, the Can-Am Maverick, for film and photos.  Continue reading →

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Weakness as a Strength

Posted on October 14, 2012 by sethfargher

I hate being wrong.  Even when I know that I’m wrong I will go to great lengths to skew the situation so as to lesson the level of my wrongness.  In reality, I’m just avoiding the humiliation of being wrong and accepting defeat.

I don’t know why I do that.  Especially because I hate it when other people do the same thing.  I find myself wondering, “Why can’t you just admit you’re wrong?”

I think the answer is the same for everyone.  Being wrong admits we are weak.  We don’t like to be weak.  It’s a shot at our pride. Continue reading →

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My First Film Shoot With Can-Am

Posted on October 12, 2012 by sethfargher

I have a tough time keeping my mouth shut.  I’m a pretty talkative guy in general but when something exciting comes my way and I’m sworn to secrecy, it’s almost torturous.  Case in point, several of the adventures I’ve been on over the last few months have included a non-discloser stipulation.  Before I even get to find out the “what or where” most companies require me to sign and submit a statement saying that I won’t discuss anything I see, hear, witness etc until a specific date.  For me, that is torture.  Not because I want to spoil anyone’s surprise or disclose “classified” information, I just LOVE getting to do what I do and when an amazing opportunity comes my way, I want to share it…with everybody. Continue reading →

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Email Etiquette and Getting a Response From the Ones Who Matter Most

Posted on October 4, 2012 by sethfargher

Several years ago, (I’m talking like 15) I sent a rather well known individual in my niche an email asking him for some information.  I didn’t specify what information, I merely found his email address online and asked if I could get some information from him.  To my continued disbelief, he actually responded and asked me what specific information I was looking for.  (I say continued because it still amazes me that he didn’t just ignore my request altogether.)

I responded with my question and he graciously replied with his two cents on my situation and I learned a valuable lesson.  Of course I didn’t realize it then but looking back I realize it was foolish of me to have expected any sort of a response with how poorly my message came across.

In today’s electronically supercharged world, checking and responding to email is a chore, especially for busy professionals, managers and people in high demand.  Many people in leadership roles receive literally hundreds of emails per day.  That’s not me but there have definitely been moments in my career when the inbox was filling up faster than I could manage.

What I’ve learned in my professional experience is that when reaching out to people in high standing or influential positions it is imperative that you make your email count. Continue reading →

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