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I’m a competitive person by nature and this flows through to my work, so when I have a target to achieve, I’m determined to hit it.
But there are times when that doesn’t happen and I don’t like it.
It doesn’t matter if the reasons were out of my control, I want to get there every single time.
But recently, I stumbled across this quote from Tom Hirshfield,
“If you hit the target every time, it’s too near or too big.”
He’s right.
One of my favourite NBA coaches is Doc Rivers, the current coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Before taking on his current role, he said,
“I don’t think you should run from a legacy, or run from pressure, or run from expectations. I think you should run towards it.”
It’s easy to hide.
It’s easy to play small.
When everything seems dark and dreary…
keep shining.
When everyone is complaining and whining…
keep shining.
When the standard of work that your peers produce continues to be below par…
keep shining.
I read a lot of biographies and memoirs and one of the common elements that strikes me is that these incredibly successful and notable people each had a lot of help along the way.
Yes, they are talented, resilient and hard-working, but they also take a lot of time to thank their parents, or spouse, or grandparent, or mentor, or teacher, or boss, or random stranger who had a timely word of advice.
If you think that you are going to make it by yourself, you’re mistaken.
“Your call is important to us,” the IVR repeats every 30 seconds for the next 30 minutes.
You know it’s a lie, or the call would be answered sooner.
So you wait and you fume and the interaction is doomed before it even begins.
Don’t tell us, show us.
Of course, it’s not just call centres who spin these insincere statements.
Legendary comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, once said,
“Keep your head up in failure and your head down in success.”
Love it.
When we make mistakes, we often drop our heads in embarrassment, hoping that no-one notices.
We shuffle about in shame,
I took another step.
Progress.
I learned another lesson.
Progress.
I invested in a relationship.
Progress.
There are times when I look at my kids and think about all of the things that they need to change.
And I’ve been with my wife for over 26 years, but there are still aspects of her that aren’t perfect.
My staff could do a better job sometimes. If only they were more efficient or more capable.
I have great respect for my peers and my boss, but surely they could learn a thing or two.
If I was really being picky (and let’s be honest, sometimes we all are), my pastor could improve.
There’s a way and a way out.
The way is challenging.
It’s tough.
It can take years to navigate.
There will be times when you’re not sure that you are on the right path.
Mary Anne Radmacher once said,
Courage doesn’t always roar.
Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
Maybe that’s all we need at the moment.
Not bombastic confidence that smashes down doors.
But quiet persistence that keeps going, despite the circumstances.
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