“It’s not whether you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.” ~Grantland Rice.
My oldest son was preparing for a college baseball career many years ago. As a senior in high school, he attended a handful of showcase events where juniors and seniors could demonstrate their speed, agility, running, and throwing abilities.
During one of those events, I noticed a college coach acquaintance wasn’t paying attention to players when their names were called to hit, run, field, or pitch. I asked him why he drove all that way to not pay attention, and he told me this story:
“I was here early, Chip. Before everyone got here. I stood close to the gate and watched the players walk into the complex. Some players didn’t have their shirts tucked or wore their hats off to the side. Some were wearing flip-flops, and others were dragging their bags behind them. I scratched through quite a few names there.
“Then, I watched later as they went onto the field to warm up. Some still hadn’t tucked their shirts. Some were lobbing the ball in warm-ups. If the ball got past them, they would walk after it. I scratched through more names then.”
“I watched the group as the showcase leaders were outlining the “rules” of the day and what would come next. You can see respect and who was paying attention and who thought the “rules” didn’t apply to them. I scratched through more names.
“It’s how you approach the game that’s important. So, I did most of my work before the showcase even started. I’m here to watch 15-20 players. When I hear their name called and they come up, I turn around and pay attention.”
There were approximately 120 players at that showcase that Saturday morning. Many players didn’t get the time of day from at least one coach because he had done his homework and knew the type of player he was looking for.
There’s a saying in baseball. Coaches and experienced players teach the new players: Respect the game. In other words, do it right, follow the protocol, honor the rules and your teammates. No shortcuts. Put in your time, and you’ll be rewarded.
Do you respect the game you’re playing? In your finances? Relationships? Health. Spiritual or emotional well-being? Job, business, or career? Are you honoring the time-tested rules, boundaries, and guardrails? Are you making it up as you go, or do you have coaches and seasoned players helping you along the way?
It doesn’t matter what your “game” is — you must respect the game. Winning the game is not as important as how you play the game. You see, it’s more than ability and talent. It’s more than how much you know. It’s about the process and how you show up to the game.
Here’s how you can respect any game you’re playing. Remember, this is not only business related. You can and should apply these principles to your personal and spiritual life.
- Be on time. It shows you respect the meeting, circumstances, and others. My dad always said if you’re on time, you’re late.
- Set a routine—set times and agendas for what you do, especially things that must be done daily or often.
- Be a model. Set the bar for others and live an example for people around you. You may be in the minority, but most leaders are.
- Give back. Someone gave you a hand up. Do it often. It’s time to give back and pay forward.
- Dark or light. Make sure you’re doing in the dark what you want to model in the light. This is important.
- Respect and consideration. Extend this to everyone you come into contact with, not just those with whom you agree or like.
- Extend a hand up. You’re ahead of someone on the journey, so make sure you’re paying it forward and leaving a legacy.
- Attitude. Your attitude is the single greatest game-changer in your life. (Read about it here.)
- Iron sharpens iron. Someone who disagrees with you isn’t your enemy. It’s all about perspective.
Do you want to up your game? Start with how you play the game: Respect the game, and watch the results change in your favor.