Sebastian Vettel, 4-Time F1 World Champion Announces Retirement

Sebastian Vettel, F1 four-time world champion with 53 career wins, 38 with Red Bull, 14 with Ferrari, announced his retirement this past month through a testimonial released this past July.

From his whole testimonial video, these quotes below brought so many insights to me.

"Being a racing driver has never been my sole identity. I very much believe in identity by who we are and how we treat others rather than what we do."

"My passion comes with certain aspects that I have learned to dislike."

"My best race is still to come. I believe in moving forward and moving on. Time is a one-way street; I want to go with the times."

"Looking back is only going to slow you down. I look forward to racing down unknown tracks and will be finding new challenges."

"Tomorrow belongs to those shaping today. The next corner is in good hands as the new generation has already turned in. I believe that there is still a race to win."

His whole video is worth watching because there is so much to learn in each sentence.

He is now embracing a new journey, ready to start his life off tracks and win his best race, the race of life. It is a race that will be propelled by the engine of his passion and values, his vision for his family, and the time he is willing to dedicate to them. 

His quote, "My passion comes with certain aspects that I have learned to dislike." In his share, he references how detailed and obsessive he is and the importance of perfection every step of his way.  

I would love to ask you all:

How much are your passions defining who you are today? Are those things you see as your gifts contributing to or draining you?

How much are you willing to go inwards? How much courage do you have to see beyond the fog and observe the impact that those gifts you might call passions bring into your life? 

Learning about yourself and recognizing what you like or dislike is difficult, especially when you are a formula one world champion.

Life is created.

You can be successful in life and be very aware of what you genuinely believe is good for you. When success knocks on the door, and then more success comes, it isn't easy to truly see if those winning frequencies are the ones that bring you quality and also meaning to your life. Success fills in self-worth and masks gifts with personal fulfillment. How much are you working towards your created life?

Family business leaders are bright and wise. They are incredible team players, and they have a big responsibility on their shoulders. They get driven by ambition, always looking for more and more success. In their journey, sometimes they get lost in the clouds because they are so focused on their work, on the challenges and stressors that day-by-day presents. At the same time, they see a constant and endless amount of opportunity in front of them, and their inner world takes second place.

If you are a family business leader and want to continue creating exponential results for you, your company, and your business, you need to go deeper and look inwards. You must be willing to see yourself with no masks and honor your intentions and vision.

My intention through this blog post is to invite you to look inwards and to go deeper. To find moments of meaning for you and to understand, like Sebastian Vettel, that there is no better win than winning the race of life. It is about the quality of time and the memories you build with your family, your team members, and those that are important to you. 

Have you ever asked yourself this question - What race are you winning? What fuel are you using to make it to the final?

Allow yourself to dream bigger and even bolder. This will expand your inspiration, creativity, and leadership as an individual, family member, and professional.