As in Baseball, Life Keeps Score
It is a tradition in our family to see a movie on Christmas Day. This Christmas we chose Parental Guidance. A hilarious movie produced by Billy Crystal. The plot involves Crystal and his wife, Bette Midler traveling to their daughter’s house to watch their three grandchildren for a few days.
At one point, Billy’s character is at his grandson’s ballgame watching him pitch. He makes a scene when the umpire explains to him that there are no outs, everyone bats until they hit and every game ends in a tie.
In some people’s eyes this is a way to keep the game fun and fair. I disagree because it does not prepare them for the real world. You must keep score.
My son Nick played baseball for eighteen years from coach-pitch at six years old until he finished his college career in 2007. When he was younger, Nick and his teammates won a lot of games but there was one thing I observed. When they were practicing, they would laugh and talk and goof around. However, when the umpire said, “PLAY BALL!” everything changed. They were intense and focused. They knew the game had started and they were keeping score.
The same goes for you. Without clear, measureable goals, you will lack the intensity and focus required to accomplish them. Unless you have daily and weekly measurements that help you keep score, your goals are merely dreams. Here are some steps to clarify:
- Write down a clearly defined goal.
- What is required to accomplish this goal?
- When and how often will I do this to accomplish the goal?
- How will my results be measured?
Are you winning or losing? How do you know? Great companies and successful people know because they keep score.
I recall during those early years, whether Nick won or lost, there was nothing a smile, word of encouragement and a team drink wouldn’t cure.
Have a great week!
Pierce
