The Athletics of Business
At a very early age we fell in love with competing because of sports. Whether it was whiffle ball, stick ball, nerf hoops, sandlot football, running bases or pickup hoops. I remember being obsessed with finding something and somewhere to play and every game was a playoff game or championship game. Then we figured out we needed to improve because Bobby down the street was getting bigger and stronger faster than we were, so we looked for whatever advantage we could get. We wanted to get better. We would do whatever we could to kick Bobby’s butt. Throw the ball against the wall longer, take more jump shots, play catch with ourselves longer, more practice swings while looking at our reflection in the garage window.
Then we grew up and it came time for organized sports. Many of us were blessed with a coach along the way who truly made an impact on our lives and established the fact that we were learning life lessons that would be transferable in whatever field of endeavor we chose. Simple life lessons like being on time, being a great teammate, playing hard, having a great attitude‚ you get the picture. One of the lessons I was fortunate to learn at an early age and a lesson I will never forget is this: Winning does matter as does doing the things the right way matter. Working hard matters and realizing that you are a part of something much bigger than yourself matters. Being not just a good teammate, but a great teammate matters. Who you become as a person matters just as much, if not more, than what you become as an athlete matters.
Little did I know that years later, at the age of 46 I would be married to an amazing woman (who is the best athlete in the family!) with a four-year old, a two-year old and starting a business that has been a dream of mine for many years. And you know what, that lesson that I was taught as a young athlete is more important to me now than it ever has been in my entire life. Never have I believed in it more than I do now. Whether I was coaching college basketball, working in the mortgage business in Chicago or helping place our Military in jobs with the best companies in the United States, that lesson is what I hung my hat on! It got me through some brutally tough times and was the reason I could sustain success when things were rolling.
What Is Athletics of Business
The Athletics of Business is a built on the foundational belief that the skills and traits developed in athletics are not only applicable in the business world, they are key to your success. I am not talking about overnight success either. What I am talking about is sustained success, working toward maximizing your potential on a daily basis. Making those around you better every day, whether it be a co-worker or a client by adding value to them every day. Becoming a person of action every single day. Being focused, driven and goal oriented. Having a plan and doing whatever is necessary to execute that plan to the best of your ability. Being resilient and persistent in the face of adversity and all the while keeping a positive attitude. Understanding the importance of time management. Having a passion for what you do and having fun doing it. Being self-motivated and self-disciplined. Seeking and embracing challenges. Being a great teammate who is competitive and calm under pressure. The list is truly endless!
The Athletics of Business is about getting into your greatness. Get Great! Get Great at everything you do in life by making the most out of your physical and mental ability. In athletics we talk non-stop about how the person you are off the court impacts your success on the court.The same holds true in the business world. Who you are away from the office greatly impacts your success at the office‚ whatever your office may be. So Get Great at being a parent, spouse, son or daughter, community member, leader, etc.
So how do we Get Great? How do the traits and skills of elite athletes actually apply in the business world?
