10-1
I enjoy playing racquetball. Whether or not you play racquetball - or any other sport - there are things we can learn and apply to our lives from the activities we engage in.
There’s something that has been coming up in coaching which I believe will be instrumental for many of us. And it starts with a silly racquetball analogy.
In racquetball, each game is played to 15 points. Sometimes in the course of a match, you are winning a game by the score of 10-1. When this happens, the person who has 10 is actually in a precarious spot - and the person who has 1 knows it.
There’s something that has been coming up in coaching which I believe will be instrumental for many of us. And it starts with a silly racquetball analogy.
In racquetball, each game is played to 15 points. Sometimes in the course of a match, you are winning a game by the score of 10-1. When this happens, the person who has 10 is actually in a precarious spot - and the person who has 1 knows it.
It is so human to ease up and play lazy when you are winning so convincingly. I can’t tell you how many games I have lost because I eased up when I was winning 10-1.
There is a natural human tendency to get complacent when we have achieved some success. You may be in a season where you have some pretty good wind in your sails. If this is the case, the wisest thing you can do is play the game out with excellence. Do not let up. Don’t take dumb shots figuring that you are already ahead. Keep making wise decisions.
Life and business have a remarkable way of getting the better of us when we take our eye off the ball.
Maybe you have had some success with your health. Maybe you logged a good month or quarter in your business. Maybe you’re feeling pretty proud of how far you’ve come, and that’s a good thing. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating successes and expressing contentment with life. Just be cautious that it doesn’t lead to complacency. There is a very thin line between contentment and complacency, and when we become complacent, we are on the verge of another tough season.
It’s a mark of excellence to play the game out and be strong to the final point.
By the way, if you feel like you are the person who has a score of 1, isn’t it encouraging to know that the odds are still good for you to come from behind and win?
Play well!
Coach Steve
There is a natural human tendency to get complacent when we have achieved some success. You may be in a season where you have some pretty good wind in your sails. If this is the case, the wisest thing you can do is play the game out with excellence. Do not let up. Don’t take dumb shots figuring that you are already ahead. Keep making wise decisions.
Life and business have a remarkable way of getting the better of us when we take our eye off the ball.
Maybe you have had some success with your health. Maybe you logged a good month or quarter in your business. Maybe you’re feeling pretty proud of how far you’ve come, and that’s a good thing. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating successes and expressing contentment with life. Just be cautious that it doesn’t lead to complacency. There is a very thin line between contentment and complacency, and when we become complacent, we are on the verge of another tough season.
It’s a mark of excellence to play the game out and be strong to the final point.
By the way, if you feel like you are the person who has a score of 1, isn’t it encouraging to know that the odds are still good for you to come from behind and win?
Play well!
Coach Steve
Great reminder Steve! I've forwarded this on to my team. I don't think it could be said better.
Posted by: Dan Foster | 09/24/2010 at 10:28 AM
Excellent analogy. I especially like the "Don’t take dumb shots figuring that you are already ahead".
The discipline and decisions that got you in the lead don't need to be changed for the sake of change. Nor can you be lazy because "you can afford it".
Thanks Steve.
Posted by: Mike Hole | 09/24/2010 at 12:46 PM
Hey Dan, thanks so much for forwarding - let's go play Racquetball! :-)
Michael - I should have used a squash analogy.
Peace to you guys.
s
Posted by: steve | 09/25/2010 at 06:22 AM