Life is Like Playing Baseball
This week my youngest son is wrapping up his baseball season.
As I reflect on his season, I’m reminded why I love baseball so much.
Whether you love it or you don’t, there’s no disputing that baseball is a metaphor for life, and particularly work life.
Here are my 5 ⚾️ life reflections:
1. It’s a game of failure
Even the best hitters have a .300 batting average. They get on base only one of out three times! We can easily get discouraged by setbacks, lack of traction, or naysayers. We have to keep pushing, doing our best, and resetting our mindset with each “at bat”, knowing we may only succeed 30% of the time.
2. Each player has a different role and each is critical to the team’s success
Each player brings a unique ability that together creates a successful team. Some excel as a pitcher, others as a catcher, an infielder, or an outfielder. And everyone needs to hit. My son is left-handed which makes him well suited to play first base, but not to be a catcher. We must accept the gifts we’re given, do our best to excel with those talents, and find a team in which our unique abilities are needed, recognized, and valued.
3. Use objective data and also follow what’s working
Statistics are important for coaches and managers tasked with making strategy decisions. Also, going with your gut is a critical move as well. You could have the best batting average on the team, but be trending into a downward slump. That might require a change that doesn’t make statistical sense, but turns out to be a bold and positive move for the team.
4. Stay the course
Baseball games – and seasons – are long (really long!). The way a game or season starts does not dictate the end result. Just because you have a rough start, does not reflect the end of the season.
5. Success is sweet and worth the journey
As a player, hard work pays off. It takes dedication, consistent habits, patience, and perseverance. As a fan, we also have to ride the waves of success and failure, knowing it’s a long game. My favorite thing about watching baseball is the time spent with other fans. When you pay attention to the strategy and intensity of the game, there is nothing better than seeing a successful result.
These five things happen in business, career, relationships, and life all the time.
We must stay the course, learn from failure, use our unique abilities to contribute to our team, use our mind and our heart to make decisions, and enjoy the journey.
And if doesn’t happen this year, there’s always next year!
As always, have a great week and keep learning!
Jen
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2. We are in Charleston at the PTEC Conference!
This past week we partnered with the Pharmacy Technician Education Council to deliver 10 hours of accredited educational content at the PTEC 2024 Conference.
3. New Podcast CE 🎧🎤
On this week’s GameChangers episode, we discuss prevention of recurrent UTIs, including whether the use of d-mannose or antibiotics are effective.
