Stopping And Starting
When it comes to stopping and starting, there is a tandem takeaway. But before we get there, let’s start here:
- Don’t strike out!
- Please don’t miss the free-throw!
- Don’t fumble the football!
Think about these things for a minute. Pretty high-pressure situations, right?
All of these are things you want to avoid if you’re an athlete.
How About This Scenario?
It’s game seven of the World Series. Ninth inning. Game tied. Bases loaded. Two outs. Full count.
You call a time-out to reflect on your coach’s last words before you stepped up to the plate: “Just empty your mind – and whatever you do, don’t strike out.”
“…whatever you do, don’t strike out!”
There’s no question that you don’t want to make the last out in game seven of the World Series.
Hitting The Ball
Some time ago, one of my sons was playing baseball at a high level. And, I used to work with him as a hitting coach, of sorts.
As some players do, my son had developed a tendency to drop his back shoulder in an attempt to put a “loop” or “scoop” in his swing. He had done it for so long, it was in his muscle-memory. The intuitive tendency behind the loop was to try and scoop the ball up and out of of the ball-park. As any experienced hitter might know, this is fine in golf – but not in baseball.
It’s one thing to scoop a stationary ball off a tee and down the green. It’s quite another to square up a 95 mph baseball heading towards you that’s moving all around.
So, in my wisdom, I gave my son a solid piece of advice: “Stop dropping your shoulder and looping your swing.”
The Real Problem
Now, I’d love to tell you that my sage advice solved all of his hitting mechanics over night. But, it didn’t. Why? As it would turn out, the coach (me) had more to learn than the coachee (my son).
After repeated attempts to correct the issue, my son still had a loop in his swing. And despite my pleading, threats, and lectures, my son was still doing what I told him to stop doing. This went on for quite some time.
One day – in an attempt to shed the malady – I was working with him doing some “soft toss.” And, after much frustration, I think I finally told him something along the lines of: “Just rest the bat on your shoulder and swing at the last second.”
And, you know what? After trying it out, he started crushing the ball!
A Lesson Learned By Accident
To be honest, I didn’t even know if my quirky advice would work. I was just tired of seeing the same “broken” thing happen over and over again. So, in an attempt to interrupt the pattern, I introduced something totally different.
And then, thank God, the wisdom came to me.
Everyone’s heard a version of this saying: “If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting.”
Or, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
I think everyone understands these sayings. So, it’s pretty self-evident that “old” behavioral patterns must be stopped in order to achieve different results.
The Key
You see, the real key isn’t in the “stopping.” It’s in the “starting.” This is the tandem takeaway.
For sure, you need to stop doing what WON’T get you results. But, more importantly, you need to start doing what WILL get you results. And, God willing, that is the real key.
In my son’s case, it wasn’t about him stopping the loopy swing. He needed to start using a better swing. He needed a short, powerful swing. After all, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. And, my son did eventually get his hitting dialed in. But, it wasn’t until his hitting coach (me) got himself dialed in.
The Tandem Takeaway
Once again, the tandem takeaway is this:
- Identify what isn’t bringing you results; Then, stop this pattern.
- Identify what will, God willing, bring you results; Then, start this pattern.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
What Should You Be Stopping And Starting?
Whether it’s in sports, business, or life, none of us can objectively see ourselves 360-degrees; Hence, the need for business advisory.
God willing, at Blue Elevator™, we’d love to help you make this your best year yet. So, what should you be stopping and starting? Let us help you identify the best things to stop (and start) this upcoming year. We’d love to help you get your swing dialed in, so to speak, and get your “business to the next level™.”
DEC
About the Author:
Ken Moll is the Principal and Founder of Blue Elevator®. With professional experience spanning four decades, Ken has a breadth of foundational business knowledge rarely found – making him part of an elite class of professionals. Ken's passion is helping clients of Blue Elevator® get their “business to the next level™.”