“Like an author, a cricketer signs his name on every inning he bats or bowls in; indeed, for every cricket ball that challenges him on the field.” —Harsha Bhogle, cricketer
Every day is game day
A popular sports philosophy is Just Do It. And there are advantages to starting on a project before the over-intellectualisation of it completely drags you down. But once you’re in the game, and you know your goal, there is value in adopting some rituals to ensure that when you’re running, you’re bringing the ball with you.
Today’s post is a variation on the theme of my e-book, Run Your Day or Your Day will Run You. While the philosophy will be familiar to those who know my work, sometimes its helpful to see things in a fresh frame.
The greatest champions in any game know their own strengths, those of their team members (family, co-workers, suppliers, clients) and, most importantly, they always have their eye on the goal. Sometimes that goal is easy to see, there at the end of the field. At other times, it can get obscured by the minutiae.
The way we view our time can make all the difference in what we do with it. By following these steps, we can focus on using the gift of the time to cooperate, stay focused, and integrate new developments into a cohesive plan.
Pre-game
Before jumping on to the game field that is the day ahead, it’s useful practice to spend some time in the morning focusing on your progress in relation to your goal, taking an inventory of tasks and obstacles, re-prioritizing those tasks from yesterday, and focusing on the highest priority item in the list. Once you’ve identified priority one, calculate how long you will need to complete it, double that time, and then allocate a time in your diary for that task.
Be deliberate to use this time as a moment of care. Take an uninterrupted half hour with a pen and pencil (or tool of your choice) and your favourite beverage. Focus and feel your brain being relieved of its burden of organizing.
In play
Even when we don’t know it, our brain is always taking new information and integrating it. This is its default. When we provide our brain with a template for the puzzle, its happy to follow our lead.
Athletes appreciate the importance of good sportsmanship. When new developments arise, be gracious, invite them in and then decide which course of action works best in terms of moving the ball forward:
1. Improvise – adapt this challenge into your scheme of tasks and obstacles
Or…
2. Delegate – if someone has a better tools or skills, pass the ball to them knowing your time to reciprocate will come. Then, let it go.
Post-game
If you play by these simple rules, you’ll face the end of each day with a greater sense of accomplishment and order. Even the most disparate achievements will feel part of a unified whole and you’ll feel closer to fulfilling your purpose.
Yes, every game has a score but each day is simply an inning in the greater game. We all make mistakes but it’s important to be forgiving and remember that failure isn’t lack of progress in the larger scheme. It can be our best trainer.
Speaking of training, have you booked your FREE 45 minute Efficiency Consultation Zoom call?