“You’re never too small to dream big.”~ Seen on a school bus

It was a rare March afternoon that Karen was done with her chores and homework before twilight. She grabbed her soft -ball, bat, and glove before heading to the field behind her house. The season wouldn’t start for a few more weeks, but Karen was itching to get the feel of the game back. Choking up on the bat with one hand, Karen called out, “She’s at bat!”

 With her other hand, she pitched the ball into the air and said, “I am the greatest batter in the world!” The bat and ball failed to connect as Karen took her inaugural swing. As the ball thudded in the soft ground, Karen called out, “Stttrike one!”

 Again, she pitched the ball in the air and repeated louder than before, “I AM the greatest batter in the world!” Had you been standing in the field, you would have bet your wallet and watch that Karen connected. The bat passed slightly over the ball, and again the stitched leather hit the ground. In her best umpire impersonation, Karen chirped, “Strike taaa-whooo.”

Karen scooped up the ball as quick as a double play and tossed it in the air again. This time her voice reached the Patel’s house two doors down as she repeated her mantra, “I AM THE GREATEST batter in the world!”

 She meant business with this swing. The bat arched into action again with the full force of Karen’s conviction. The bat’s wood grain blurred against the background of the budding grass and Karen—missed. It took a few seconds for the ball to come to rest and when it did, Karen the umpire yelled, “Strike three … you’re outta there!”

Karen’s mother yelled out of the kitchen window dinner was ready a few moments after the third strike was called. Karen gathered her things and headed back across the field. Halfway back to the house, Karen said to herself in an excited voice, “Well whaddya know, I’m the greatest PITCHER in the world.”

It’s all about your frame of mind …

Consider this …

1. In what areas of your project, business, or workplace do you identify with Karen the batter?

2. In what areas should you more appropriately identify with Karen the pitcher?

3.  How can you apply these new insights in your work going forward?

 
For more, check out The Top Performer’s Field Guide, The Innovator’s Field Guide, or visit www.JeffStandridge.com.

(Originally published in The Top Performer’s Field Guide.)