The❤️of Baseball: Don't Mind the Missed Chances

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In a previous blog The Heart of Baseball: Redefining Value,  I discussed the importance of embracing life’s unpredictability and setbacks, emphasizing that they do not diminish our self-worth. Drawing a parallel with baseball, just as players don’t always reach base, in life, we won’t always achieve our desired outcomes. Showing up and meeting your goals 30% of the time is outstanding— the average on-base percentage (OBP) of .320 is great! But what happens after missing out?

Let’s keep the baseball metaphor going!

When a baseball player walks away from an unsuccessful at-bat, they might feel like they’ve let their team and coaching staff down, especially when they’ve been working on improving their batting technique. However, the player recognizes there are still more innings to go and more opportunities to get on base. With this mindset, they return to the dugout, knowing they will soon be out in the field and back up to face the pitcher. What’s going on in their mind?

Baseball players understand their chances of getting on base are around 32%, on a good day, so they can’t afford to dwell on missed opportunities for too long. They accept the inherent facts and stats of the game to effectively plan around them instead of fixating on them. The player quickly assesses their experience: What did I learn from that at-bat? How did it feel? What can I do differently next time?

In life, we can expect setbacks, misses, and errors. It’s entirely okay to acknowledge and experience the sensation of missing out. The key is to get curious about the situation:

• What have I learned?

• What physical or emotional sensations did I experience?

• Where are those sensations coming from?

• What could I do differently next time, and how can I prepare for the next chance?

The more awareness we have of what we can control, the more likely we are to succeed.

The next time you face a life or work challenge, be deliberate about taking a moment to reflect. Be the baseball player returning to the dugout, and ask yourself: What did I do well in this situation, and how can I build on those strengths? What specific actions can I take to improve my chances of success next time? Who can I reach out to for guidance and support in overcoming this challenge? What positive changes can I make based on the insights gained from this situation?

Visualization Techniques: Imagine yourself overcoming setbacks and achieving your goals. Picture the steps you’ll take and the success you’ll achieve. This mental rehearsal can build confidence and motivation, making the path forward seem more attainable.

Celebrating Progress: Remember to celebrate your progress and small victories along the way. Acknowledging these achievements helps maintain motivation and a positive outlook. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a sign of growth and improvement.

Resilience Building Exercises: Engage in activities that build resilience, such as challenging yourself with new experiences, learning new skills, or participating in physical activities. These exercises help you adapt to change, recover from setbacks, and grow stronger in the face of adversity.

Are you starting to envision these improvements for next time?

This deliberate practice brings awareness to what you can control and enables your body and mind to build muscle memory, helping you to adjust your technique for the next pitch.

Released August 2024