“How you react to those ups and downs often gets reflected in the outcome at the end of the game.” – Scott Ingram in today’s Tip 1865
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Transcript
Scott Ingram: You’re listening to the Daily Sales Tips podcast and I’m your host, Scott Ingram. Today I’ve got a sports analogy for you, so if you hate that I get it you can leave now if you want, but as I was thinking through this whole thing I think I figured out why they often work so well. Let’s think about the average Football game and yes I’ll be talking about Football today. In the average college football game there are around 180 total plays. That’s not too far off from the 250 days in the typical working year and in many ways I think you see the same ebs and flows over the course of the typical game. Think of each play as one day. Some days you’re in control of things, some days you’re not. Some days go your way. Some days do not. How you react to those ups and downs often gets reflected in the outcome at the end of the game. Now let’s talk specifics. It actually took me a little while to figure out what the heck happened in the Peach Bowl Playoff game between my Texas Longhorns and the ASU Sun Devils. While those who were disinterested thought this was one of the top bowl games of all time with double overtime and all that, it pretty much sucked from my perspective as a UT fan when were favored to win by 2 touchdowns.
Now if you happened to read the title of this tip: The Mindset of: I got this… No Problem! I bet you thought that was a good mindset to have, right? I actually think that was the mindset that Texas had and it nearly cost them the game. For those who didn’t see the game, Texas scored 2 touchdowns in 2 and a half plays to start the game. They were up 14 points almost instantly and it looked like the thing was going to be an absolute blowout. Think about the Texas perspective here. You’re the most favored team to go all the way and win the Championship. You’re favored to win this game by 13 and a half points and you get off to an incredible start. Easy to think: I got this! No problem! What they didn’t count on was a very capable Arizona team with a very very strong mindset of their own who wouldn’t let up. So while Texas took their foot off the gas and missed opportunity after opportunity, ASU just kept chipping away and came really close to a massive upset.
So here’s the lesson I took away. if you go into your year or your quarter thinking, I got this, no problem! You could be putting yourself at a disadvantage. You’re probably not prepared for the hard days. The times when things just aren’t going to go your way. I’m yet to see or have a year that goes perfectly, where everything goes my way. Instead we have to know that we are going to be challenged. This is one of the things I think about the most this time of year when everybody is cranking for a few minutes on their goals and resolutions only to hit a speed bump or two and give up on the whole thing. I try to play the long game. Consistent progress through adversity is going to bring much better results than a quick short sprint followed by sitting down and throwing in the towel. So instead of I’ve got this, no problem. I think there better mindset is more along the lines of: I’m gonna get this, it won’t be easy and I will be tested, but I’m going to make it happen! That’s what I expect, and certainly hope, will happen tonight when Texas plays Ohio State. They know that this is a very strong team and that they’re going to need to show up. They’re likely much more prepared to be challenged and to rise to the occasion. Let’s hope I’m right. Happy Selling and Hook ‘Em Horns!