Witnessing an individual reach their full potential and
operate out of that space is inspiring and could be the principle, if applied,
that sets our businesses and careers on a path to achieve great things.
Last night I watched the ESPY Awards hosted by Drake. Drake,
you know, the Young Money Cash Money, actor turned emo-rapper, the one who said
he was the greatest before he ever was? I could launch into a full on review of
the show and how Drake did, however, that’s not where I want to take this. I’ll
leave those kinds of things to Bleacher Report. I will say though, Blake and
Drake and the Lance-cam were by far some of the funniest skits I've seen in
quite some time. As I watched clip after clip of sports moments form the past
year I remember the emotions those moments caused and even watched the hairs on
my arms raise as the chills rushed through my body watching these clips again.
Why do sports do this to us? Why do sports so captivate us that there is now an
awards show annually held to honor these sports moments? I’d say the same way
the U.S. Men’s National Team captivated us as a country is the same general
feelings brought upon by hearing a talented artist belt out a beautiful ballad.
What can explain the goose bumps that fill our arms when we interact with an
elite athlete doing something special or hearing a brilliant artist serenade us?
Why does the story line of LeBron returning home draw such sentimental
response? Why did Kevin Durant’s M.V.P. speech move us so much? When Adele
sings in a simple setting with her, a microphone, and a spot light, why are we
frozen by the moment?
Professionals and businesses can learn a lot from this phenomenon
that moves us with sports and/or music. The same moving emotions that inspire
us to stay up late to watch an awards show or take a half a day off work to
watch a soccer match are driven by the same general principle we see in sports
but cannot interpret and apply to business for some reason. The principle is
simple, an individual reaching their greatest potential. In the bible the
apostle Paul even makes reference to God desiring individuals to reach their
greatest potentials, becoming all they can be as an individual, becoming what
God made them for, become full (Ephesians 4:13). There is something special
about seeing someone who is doing what they are meant to do. Talented artists who
have a voice that can move mountains inspire us when we see them in their
element. The same rings true of sports. When we see an athlete who is meant to be
an elite level athlete achieve great things it is moving to us as fans. We all
have this internal longing to reach our full potential and when we see others achieving
our own desires we are inspired and captivated. So how do we move from crying
over M.V.P. acceptance speeches and moving soccer team performances to applying
this principle in our own lives, most specifically, our professions.
I’d love to play basketball professionally. I've even been
told by a guy who plays professional overseas I could definitely keep up with
his team. As flattering as that is the truth is I’m 30, have deteriorating
knees, and am only 5’10”, so playing professional basketball is just a pipe
dream at this point. That’s not where I’m going to quench that proverbial thirst
to achieve my greatest potential. Iridescent lights and cubicles are a painful
reality to most of us, but they don’t have to be. I’m not going to sell you on
the idea of quitting your job and doing what you love. Maybe what you love is
not necessarily going to put you in a position to make any money. Making money
is a reality and a necessity in our culture, so unless you are ok with living
on the streets and not having anything, you probably want to make some money. The
best way we can mix this idea of becoming the fullness of what we have the
potential to become and work in a world that makes us money is by learning the
most we can about ourselves. Our current professional structure most often
measures us to standards and doesn't focus much on strengths. This feedback
system typically only focuses on weaknesses and how to become better. So we
have a workforce trying o become better at things they aren't good at and that
effort is taken away at truly taking advantage of what we are good at, our
strengths. If we can learn our strengths and weaknesses and be humble and
realistic enough to admit them at that point we can begin to work on fulfilling
our potential.
I wonder if the professional world and my generation begin to
think this way if we wouldn't be more fulfilled in our own lives and
professions and not necessarily need to escape from our reality with sports,
but realize our own inspiring moments by achieving what it is we are made to achieve
best. I think if we changed our mental picture a bit we could reach great
heights. Will you join me?
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