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Basketball is one of my favourite sports and I’m always intrigued by those guys who battle against the odds.
In the NBA, the average centre is 7 feet tall, but there are a few players who have been able to carve out a career despite being a relatively diminutive 6 feet and 8 or 9 inches.
Every game they’re looking up at their opponents.
Every game they’re involved in a mismatch.
But they don’t take a backwards step.
A lot can happen between Monday and Friday.
We go to work.
We go home.
Some people call in sick (far too often).
Some people watch too much TV or play too much PlayStation.
It doesn’t cost a cent to thank someone.
It doesn’t take any time or inconvenience you in any way.
Yes, they may just be doing their job.
What they did may seem insignificant.
But you can still thank them.
A great painter knows that it will take more than one brush stroke to create a masterpiece.
A proficient carpenter knows that it will take more than one nail to build a solid home.
A successful investor knows that it will take more than one transaction to build a lucrative portfolio.
An elite athlete knows that it will take more than one repetition to develop the physique that they will need.
An accomplished writer knows that it will take more than one sentence to put together a compelling story.
So, whatever you are looking to do with your life.
What does your best day look like?
What sort of interactions are you having?
What is your body language doing?
What are you anticipating?
How much are you enjoying the challenge?
How do people perceive you?
How much energy do you have?
You can stand up in front of your people and make grandiose statements.
You can put fancy slogans on the walls.
You can read books about culture and give them to all of your leaders.
You can have surveys and focus groups.
But culture isn’t formed that way.
Imagine a world where everyone is enthusiastic and passionate about what they do?
Where everyone encourages the people around them, helping them to achieve great deeds?
Where everyone takes the time to read and reflect daily, learning and growing as they do?
Where instead of being anxious about the future, everyone takes action to make it better?
That would be some world, wouldn’t it?
There are certain people that I would like to be able to imitate.
Writers that inspire me to write better.
Leaders that have methods I try to copy.
People of incredible character that I attempt to emulate.
The days, weeks and months go so quickly that they can become a blur.
Earlier today, I shook my head and commented to Karen that next March, our oldest son will be turning 15.
15?
I can still remember when he was born and now he’s a couple of inches taller than me!
When time moves so swiftly, and the days merge together, we can allow them to pass unhindered and without reflection, but that would be a mistake.
According to French writer, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, & give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast & endless sea.”
If you’re a leader, how do you get things done?
Do you just give orders?
Do you tell people what to do?
