It’s a huge weekend for sports fans with the Super Bowl on Sunday. But many people don’t really care. In fact, if you watch today’s Front-Row Friday video, you’ll hear how I was the ONLY one in a hotel lounge one year watching the big game. But, whether you like sports or not, you can glean some great lessons from watching people perform at the top of their game. Today’s message is inspired by my friend Ross Bernstein (www.RossBernsteinspeaking.com). He has written around 50 books on sports, sports heroes, and what it takes to be a champion. He is now a Hall of Fame Speaker on peak performance who shares with audiences the Champion’s Code. I agree with him that sports are a universal language that we can all learn from. He says; “It’s not just about winning though; it’s about following your moral compass to win the right way… with integrity and respect.” One of his books is “America’s Coach – Gold Medal Success from the Olympics” is filled with life lessons from Herb Brooks. He was coach of the 1980 hockey team that originated the term “Miracle On Ice.” This book, as well as all of his books, gives countless examples of how to be a champion on and off the field. In addition to the obvious lessons of work hard, show up early, be open to coaching, be consistent, push your limits…there is one more thought that I love from chapter 8: “Every now and then, it’s okay to take a leap of faith. That’s when miracles can happen”. At the risk of sounding too trite, we are all playing in this game of life and can adapt all of these ideas to our own situation.
These athletes that are playing this weekend have gone through more than we can fathom to arrive at the pinnacle of their sport. Can you imagine one family having two sons playing on each team at the Super Bowl? Travis Kelce with the Chiefs and Jason Kelce for the Eagles. That’s a lot of practices, and games, and victories and disappointment over the years in one family. They both will have something to celebrate come Sunday, regardless of the outcome. I love those stories.
So, this weekend, whether you watch the game for the commercials or if you are a diehard fan, I recommend being on the lookout for those human-interest stories of how hard these athletes worked to get to the big game. Watch how the victor will probably have tears of joy knowing that all of their hard work paid off to achieve the ultimate success in their job. Just like success in your profession, it takes work, resilience, reps, maybe some dissappointment along the way. But, don’t forget every once in awhile, to have a little faith. That’s where miracles can happen.
Enjoy today’s video and I’ll see you in the Front-Row!
P.S. Share with me how you are succeeding in the game of life. What are you doing today to live and lead from the front-row?
Take care,
Your Head Usher,
