Softalls are NOT soft!  

     Yesterday’s end-of-the-season playoff tournament has me feeling a little achy-breaky as I write today’s blog post . . . four baking-hot-weather games in a row at second base (won two and lost two, with just enough time for a bottle of water between contests and dragging myself back onto the infield). 

     Yes, it’s senior softball, but y’know what?  We who play think we are still 17 (or 27, or 37. or 47. or . . . ) and play with less fear than we did in high school and college, or in some cases, the minor leagues (which doesn’t always bode well for worrisome spouses, but which is part of sports machismo no matter what age you are). 

     In addition to softball players (senior OR junior) not being soft, the other thing that you should know is that softballs are NOT soft!  In fact, they’re as hard as baseballs, just bigger.  And when they’re hit, they can travel just as fast as baseballs (especially on much smaller, closer infields than those used in baseball).  Okay, so you think I’m leading up to ticking off all the reasons why senior softball players deserve respect and admiration? 

     Well, it would be nice to have passerby throw themselves down at my feet in the supermarket aisle, neighborhood restaurant or optometrist’s office, but the truth is that I’m good but not great at second base; yesterday in fact, I screwed up at least three easy doubleplays, and then only managed a couple of hits each game.  But I had fun! 

     So what’s the point?  Actually, the subject raises a few points to consider as you go forward with your business or career ambitions or writing pursuits:

1) When you over-do it, you’re going to end up tired, and not performing as well as you’re capable of.  Pace yourself, and keep your goals reasonable and realistic.

                                                                                                      

2) Age truly has no bearing on effort!  In fact, it’s also been my experience that –given a task to complete– seniors have more stick-to-itive-ness than juniors.  These attributes may be worth keeping in mind if and when you’re in a position to hire.

                                                                                

3) Like sideview mirrors that caution: Images may be closer than they appear to be . . . and softballs not being what they appear to be in terms of hardness or how fast they can travel (and how much they can hurt when you miss catching them!), business and career and writing situations are rarely if ever exactly as they appear to be on first encounter.  Be cautious, skeptical, realistic, forgiving, yet objective and practical when assessing initial options, resources, and opportunities.

                                                                                   

4) Keep yourself humble and honest.  It will come back to you when you least expect it (just as it will if you don’t!). 

                                                                               

5) Unless you’re a hermit or The Lone Ranger, every business, professional and life pursuit involves teamwork.  Even Tiger Woods needs a savvy trainer and caddie to depend on! 

                                                                             

Whatever you do or don’t do impacts others.  Staying focused on helping others to help themselves to help you get your job done is what leadership is all about.

 So go get your glove, get in the game, and remember to be a team player!

halalpiar