Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them. - Adlai Ewing Stevenson, 1900 – 1965
I’m at that age where my son is passing me in terms of ability on the athletic front, but he isn’t equal to those very important skills of craftiness and cunning. This becomes very apparent in our head-to-head basketball games. Because of these, ahem, additional skills I’m able to win about the same number of games that I lose. A fake here, a bump there and I’m able to steal a win – much to his frustration.
Of course that frustration doesn’t make him play any better. It might make him more determined. It might make him play with a clearer sense of mission. It does change his focus. The focus becomes winning instead of playing well. It would be like saying our mission is to make a profit without focusing on those areas which contribute to profit (people, service, marketing). When we lose or feel disappointment or we feel that we have been wronged, we respond in a way that may not be the most effective response.
Revenge is a dish, best served cold. Whether it’s revenge or a renewed focus to better the service, the energy or the response, remember to inhale, remember to ask, “What’s my goal and what’s the best way to accomplish this?” As soon as my son realizes this, I’m going to have to come up with some new foul calls just to break even.
Cheers,
Bryan Dear
