Ever notice that when you decide to buy a new red Corvette (or a blue F-150, for that matter), you start to see your chosen new vehicle everywhere you go?
For me, the last month has been like that.
No matter where I turn, in person or on the Net, I’ve found myself running into people during or just after they experienced an event that brushed away all the distractions that clouded their minds.
We’re talking about life or life’s work changing moments of clarity.
If you were reading a few weeks back (if not, welcome!), I discussed the arrival of some clarity (in my work) that came to me while I was caring for Dad.
I think that’s natural and we probably all go through it when we experience a change in our lives that’s as impactful as that.
Clarity has become my red Corvette.
The Big Game
One of the things required by the challenge in the “Taking Care” piece is to bring your “A game”. Often.
But do you bring it all the time?
It’s tough because it’s pretty easy to fall off the “A game” wagon if you aren’t 100% focused on it. You get swamped or you let yourself take a job or a client that really doesn’t fit you well and you can easily find yourself doing something you aren’t passionate about.
When that happens, sometimes that means the second string does the work. For you, the second string may not be that bad. It might be better than anyone else’s first string.
But it isn’t your first string.
Just like those Corvettes that seem to be everywhere, so are folks realizing that their game isn’t what it could be – even if their game is better than most.
Close Enough
Last weekend, I learned that an acquaintance in Colorado had one of those moments of clarity – a big one. The experience that woke him up was a bit more severe: it came in the aftermath of a near-death experience. Given who it was, it doesn’t surprise me that he was awake for it.
When he came out of it, one of the things that came to mind for him was that he hadn’t been what knew he could be.
The operative quote that came through about Rick raising his game was this:
On reflection I wondered why I was so apathetic about the outcome (of the life-saving health care he was receiving) and now I believe I know why. I have simply not been doing the kind of work I was capable of…
That doesn’t mean he’d been doing poor work. He doesn’t. But he knew he had more in him and that “close enough” wasn’t.
Humbling
Someone recently mentioned to me that they appreciated that I blog so regularly. I didn’t say anything, but I blogged daily for years. Nowadays it’s more like 3-5 days a week. To them, it seemed amazing to write as much as I do now. To me, it feels lazy not blogging every day, but time and passion are what I use to limit what I write here and when.
A friend of mine has taken a photo every single day since (at least January 1st, 2010). When your game is at that level and you’re using it to energize your creative side, you can’t, you won’t let yourself skip a day.
When the Flathead Beacon won a pile of awards I felt it. Here I am, a freelance columnist surrounded by talented, award winning journalists who have to deal with my column being next to their work every week. It’s humbling and makes you realize you need to raise your game yet again.
The King?
I didn’t follow the NBA Finals too closely this year.
Rather than the oft-seen go-thru-the-motions whitewashes, I hear there were some great games in there.
LeBron James said he had to get himself up for game five (and then game six) because he didn’t bring it in game four – the game where the sick guy used him up.
If the NBA Finals don’t motivate you, what could? Call me confused.
Play like it’s The Finals. That’s how a courageous King earns the right to roar.
Want to learn more about Mark or ask him to write about a business, operations or marketing problem? See Mark’s site or contact him via email at mriffey at flatheadbeacon.com.