In this post I would like to take the focus of our anxiety off of us. Sound good? OK let’s go. I am a huge sports fan so I am going to use baseball as an analogy of life, and try to come in the back door where hindsight, and judgment set unaware.
The manager of a baseball team has a big job ahead of him. He has to take this group of young men and get them all focused into the job at hand. (To be winners.) That may seem simple; after all you have to have some crazy talent to even make it to the big leagues. But the wise coach knows that talent is not enough. He makes a set of goals for the team.
I will give 100% when on the field
I will act like a professional off the field
I will support and encourage my teammates
I will (etc etc.)
The whole team signed the goal sheet. The coach gave a short pep talk, and the players leave the locker room cheering, ready to start the season.
The season starts out like gang busters; they were walking through teams like they weren’t even there. This is the team to watch!! The team as a whole is on a high, they’re confident, borderline arrogant. They come to practice just going through the motions, because they know they could turn it on when it counts.
You guessed it. Suddenly they went into a slump. I mean they couldn’t even buy a game if it were free. Oh don’t you know the anxiety level was getting high the players started bickering amongst each other, pointing fingers. Pretty soon the fans were booing them. The situation was getting pretty depressing.
The players were sitting in the locker room after yet another lose depressed, and bewildered, expecting a royal butt chewing when the manager came in. Instead, he walked in very quietly, and gave every man a folder with instructions not to open yet. “Men” he said in a slow easy voice, “you are all talented.” “You are all good people….BUT in order to be winners, you must be accountable.” “That is why I want you to take this list of goals home, that you all signed individually, and bring back an honest assessment of your commitment to the plan.” “Not mine, or Jack or Joe’s.” “YOUR OWN!”
I think we’re far enough into the back door to get the picture. We are the coach of our lives, and the one ultimately responsible for all our victories. So it follows that we have to be accountable for our shortcomings also. There are tons of obstacles in life, and shifting the attention in another direction does not make the obstacle go away. The good coach will have a plan to get by it. You have that power.
One final thought. Like the wise coach, when evaluating yourself be firm but honest. You don’t want to beat yourself up so bad you can’t finish the game.
Peace and love
easyl
