42 lifelines make list for founder of The Prouty Project
When Jeff Prouty was preparing to run his first marathon, the Paris Marathon, last April, he knew it would be tough.
Mike Felmlee, CEO of his company and an experienced marathoner, told him when he hit the difficult mile 20 he should think about an important person in his life, then think about another one at mile 21, then a third at mile 22, and so on to 26.2 miles.
Prouty, chairman of The Prouty Project in Minnetonka, went several times better, creating a list of 42 people “who have influenced me in the first 49 years of my life, one for each kilometer of the race.” (It was in Paris, after all, so miles wouldn’t do.)
He thinks it’s important to “create your own list, and remember to say thanks to each of the people on your list.”
The list starts with No. 1, Mary Prouty, his wife. “Show your passion and compassion,” is her best lesson.
No. 7 is Mr. Partridge, a high school teacher who said, “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” “I haven’t seen him for 35 years, but I think of that,” Prouty says.
No. 9 is Frank Martino: “We all have so much more potential than we really use.” “I don’t know him that well,” Prouty says. “I heard him give a speech,” and the lesson stuck.
No. 21, Rhoda Ailts: “Do it with a touch of class.”
No. 35, Dr. Friberg: “Work until you’re 80, at least.”
And No. 42, Benhadad Maliti: “Pole, pole.” (“Slowly, slowly,” in Swahili.)
“It was a good exercise for me” to do the list,” Prouty says. “People have said, ‘Wow, I’m not sure I have 42 people. I’d have to work to get that many."
“I had to pinch myself and say, ‘I’ve been exposed to a lot of great people.’ "
Prouty started his company in 1988. They conduct organizational development trainings, emphasizing the outdoors. He expects $1.6 million in revenue for 2005.
This May he’s going on sabbatical through August, taking his two girls, adopted from China, back there with his wife. CEO Felmlee will run the show in his absence. When pressed to select just one person to receive the Upsize Lifeline Award with him, Prouty named Felmlee.
And the Paris Marathon? He finished in 5:05, “just 3 hours behind the winner!” Prouty says.
Mike Felmlee, Jeff Prouty, The Prouty Project: 952.942.2922; www.proutyproject.com
