Mar 22

Playing Your Heart Out

Watching the NCAA tournament first round games, I remembered the exhilaration and elation I felt in 1985 when my alma mater’s team, the Villanova Wildcats, played their way to the national championship - against the odds. Listen carefully and imagine what you’re working on in your life, your career and your business.

‘Nova was given about a 1:1000 chance of winning the national title. One in a thousand! In this year’s tournament, the bottom-seeded team, Fairleigh Dickinson, is given a 0% chance of winning the tournament. Zero. And yet they play…against the odds.

The top-rated team, Illinois, is given a 33% chance of winning. The favorite has a 33% chance. One in three! That is to say, the odds-makers give them a 2:1 shot of losing before they could hoist the national championship trophy over their heads. Two in three against. And yet they play…against the odds.

In fact, not only do they play, they play their hearts out. They believe in themselves and play their hearts out, in the face, sometimes, of absolute disbelief from others, as was the case for Fairleigh Dickinson…and they play their hearts out. They know the odds of winning it all are slim. In every single case, including that of the favorite to win it all, the odds against their crowning are big. And yet they play - with all their hearts…against the odds.

These “kids” don’t say, “Oh, man…I wonder if it’s worth it because the odds against my winning are so small. No one believes in us, so maybe we shouldn’t even try.” They go out, marshalling all their resources, their skill, their positive emotions, their fans and their dreams and give it all they’ve got. They play their hearts out, in the face of overwhelming odds.

It’s important to note that, in the face of big obstacles and huge challenges, they focus on what is right in front of them, the very next game. They don’t look too far down the road.

Young men oh young men, what wondrous wisdom flows from you. Of course, you all have strong coaches, too (shameless and totally relevant plug. What are YOU waiting for?)

May all of us in business and those in other fields, such as education and ministry, pay close attention to these “kids.” They are teachers of the highest order.

Hey YOU! Are YOU playing your heart out?

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