Don’t Leave Anything On The Table
Our hockey game ended last night in a frustrating 4-1 defeat. Don’t worry, hockey’s not my entire life, and I’m not going to blame it on our goalie or the referee…we didn’t play our best, and their goalie played well.
Reflecting after the game, I decided that the reason I felt so frustrated is because I only really got my legs in the last 10 minutes or so; pretty much the entire game before that I was only half-trying. Why? I don’t know, I wasn’t engaged in the game, my mind was wandering, and I just didn’t have the energy until those last few minutes.
But then, sitting in the dressing room afterwards, I felt like playing another game. I had way more to give, and I felt that I had cheated myself and my team by not giving it my all for the entire game. There’s no worse feeling than regret, because there’s nothing you can do about it until next time.
This morning, I realized that this concept applies to work, love, relationships, games…everything. There have been plenty of times when I’ve only done enough to get by (cough…school), even when I was doing something I loved. WHY NOT DO MY BEST? Is it possible I’m the only one in the world who does this…I think not.
I guess its fine, doing only enough to get by right? You’re still accomplishing the tasks and C’s do in fact get degrees.
However, there are 2 downsides to this:
1. You cheat yourself by not doing your best, and miss out on the rewards and growth that come from pushing yourself to your max. Like I said before, nothing stings like regret.
2. You cheat the world (your team). The world needs you to be you, and be you very well. If doctors half-assed procedures, pilots only kinda tried to fly and pro hockey players just floated through the game, where would we all be?
I’m going to start noticing when and where I’m floating by, and do my best to engage myself and do my best in all that I do. I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want to be that token old man in the movie, lying on his death bed, apologizing to everyone and himself for not being there or trying harder.
