UC Softball started yesterday, first practice of the “spring” season. It’s hard to call it spring when the ice storm was all anyone talked about this morning. But here we are, nonetheless, starting our practices for our trip to Florida that will be upon us in 5 short weeks. I have to say, I am very excited to have a new start, a new season, a new team and a lot of talent. I am looking forward to the love of the game pouring out at every turn.
I have some goals for the season, just as I do for my business career, my writing, my personal life. I have chosen to immerse myself in the process, leaving the outcome to fend for itself. I am looking to focus on the little things, the things that sometimes we overlook. I was thinking about this on my car ride home tonight from practice. If you have ever read the book “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell, you will understand. One small thing, can certainly start an epidemic. One person can actually change the world. So often we look at the negativity around us and think…. “Nah… there is no way it will ever change.” And those who think positively are being totally unrealistic. Well, That may be. We may not be able to really change everything by ourselves, but what if we focus on the things we can change?
I am working on that. I am working on doing my part, in my little corner of the universe, to focus on my process. To not do work that is not excellent. To not conduct a practice I am not prepared for. To take time with my loved ones to share a little bit of me every day. To spend at least five minutes petting my dogs. To put my dishes in the diswasher EVERY time, not some of the time. To really focus on the things I can control. The little things. The things that could make a difference.
I watched the girls hit tonight, paying attention to little things. Not being content with just ok. Working hard, seeing improvement. The goal is that every day, we get better than yesterday. While we can’t be perfect, we can strive for perfection in what we do. We may never get there, but slowly, surely, if we focus on the right things, on the little things, we will find our way. We will find ways to win games that maybe we otherwise would not.
Do I think we are perfect? NO. And I am very happy about that. The process is the best part of the journey.
And, if we do all that we do as best we can, we will get better every day.
And that’s all I could ask for.
