Issue #172:
May 2, 2008
Having a BallMatthew Poepsel, LeftBrain/Co-FounderSome of the most gratifying things in life are often the simplest. I was reminded of this lesson a few weeks ago when my wife and I decided to purchase a basketball hoop for our backyard. As a kid, I would spend hours shooting baskets with my friends. Easy shots, trick shots, free throws, behind-the-back - it didn't matter. I've always been a goal achievement junkie, and every time the ball went through the net, my heart would leap just a little bit. Now, it seems that my son wanted a basketball hoop of his own. As we walked the aisles of the megastore, I thought back to my days as a point guard for that sports juggernaut, the Columbia Catholic School 8th grade Tiger basketball team. I was a menace on the court. Mostly to fashion. I remember seeing a video years later of a skinny white kid with a bowl cut and white tube socks pulled up to his knees. I wish I could've been cool like that kid. We packed the basketball kit into the truck and brought it home. 52 hours later, it was fully assembled with only a handful of extra parts left over. (That always seems to happen to me.) Finally, it stood proudly, begging for a test drive. My little guy is only 7-years old, so it seemed appropriate to put the basketball rim at its lowest setting - 8 feet. This had a few advantages. First, my son was able to hoist the ball into the air and make several buckets. Each time the ball somehow ambled its way into the hoop, he would pump his fist excitedly as if he had just won the championship game at the buzzer. As an added bonus, the lower rim allowed me to demonstrate my four-inch vertical leap and perform magnificent two-handed reverse jams, pumping my fist as if I had just won the championship game at the buzzer. I realize that the sight of a 5' 6", aging and hardly athletic man dunking a miniature basketball into a supremely low rim is quite embarrassing for anyone who stumbles upon this spectacle. Let's say hypothetically, my wife and all my children. And the neighbors. And their pets. It doesn't bother me in the least, though. The simple fact is that I love to shoot around in the backyard. I always have. When my kids were toddlers, I rushed out to get the Little Tykes basketball set. I spent countless hours foisting shot after shot through the tiny net. ("I can't change her now, babe, I'm on 12 in a row here.") My favorite shot was to roll the ball off of the roof, catch it in the air, spin around and shoot a fadeaway. Yeah, I almost killed myself with that one a few times, but one went in. Every goal released a few of those "achievement endorphins" and I was hooked. My son and I played late into the evening. With every shot, my heart would leap a little. (Still got it.) As we kept shooting, I began to think about how such a simple act and a great feeling is so hard to come by for many people who toil to achieve important personal goals. Too often, it's hard to tell if we're getting ahead. Most goal pursuits don't come with that classic built-in feedback mechanism - the "swish". But what if they did? "I just asked my friend to introduce me to her boss who may have an opening." (Swish.) Think for a moment about your most pressing personal goal. What will it take for you to make it happen in your life? Are there small things you can do to get a few steps closer to achieving it? Borrow from the basketball analogy. Find those small, easy shots to get warmed up. (Swish.) Improve your performance through repetition and constant analysis of the outcomes. (Swish. Swish.) Develop a unique flair and a passion for the doing and not just the winning. (Swish. Buzzer sounds. Game over.) Don't worry - you don't have to be a basketball fan to appreciate the simple pleasure of the swish. All you have to do is find those simple, repeatable, and fun aspects of your goal pursuits and get yourself in the game! Once you do that, it's game on. Who's got next? Related Links Basketball Hall of Fame Quotes of the Week"The game is my life. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace." "When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was to become a pro." |
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Coaching Quickie: Having a BallIn the basketball game of life, who are you?Follow the link above to vote for your response. While you're there lend us your feedback, or share some goals with fellow readers. Check back next week for results! Last Week's ResultsCoaching Quickie: What Did You Do Today? If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here. |
