Hitting a baseball is one of the most difficult things to do. Making solid contact between 2 round surfaces is a feat of physics and precision. The best baseball players in the world aspire to successfully accomplish this task and are considered outstanding if they achieve a .333 batting average. That means getting a hit only 1/3 of the time. Yet even thse world-class athletes get in a slump from time to time, seemingly unable to get a hit despite considerable talent and effort.
The same is true of Little League baseball players. Kids strugggle from time to time with a batting slump. They slip into a rough patch when they just can't seems to get a hit. This, of course easy to get down on themselves and more anxious at the plate. Becasue they fear they'll strick out, they won't swing the bat at all, even when a good pitch is delivered. Their worry and fear perpetuate the slump. The same it true when we get in a slump or stuck in a rut in life.
I heard my husband, Cliff, say some profound wisdom at our son's baseball game this week that got me thinking how the rules that assist baseball players to rise out of a slump are also great tools for getting unstuck in life. Cliff, coaches our son Jaxon's baseball team. The same things that make him an outstanding parent make him an ideal coach, even from my biased perspective. He's encouraging but firm; fun yet sets high expectations. Something he said to one of his players this week jumped out at me as a great philosophy for life: "Good things happen when you swing the bat." It's easy when we get in a slump to want to throw in the towel or go into hiding. Just as in baseball, good things happen when you're willing to get back in the game and keep swinging the bat.
While a slump in baseball means not making good contact with the ball, a slump in everyday life happens when you just can't seem to make contact with your dreams or goals. Maybe you're feeling down, can't land a job, repeat dysfunctional patterns in a series of failed relationships or are putting off a difficult decision. When you find yourself in a slump, get back on track by following these 5 steps of tried and true baseball wisdom. They'll help you get back into the swing of things.
1. Step Up To The Plate - To get out of a slump you have to at least be willing to get back out there and try again. Step up to the plate so you're in the game. You can't win if you don't play.
2. Keep Your Eye On The Ball - Stay focused on what you want to connect with. Good batters keep their eyes focused on watching the ball all the way, even as it hits the bat. It's more difficult to make good contact with something if you're not giving it your full attention or get distracted. Stay focused on what you really want the most.
3. Don't Swing At Sucker Pitches - Avoid falling into old patterns that keep you stuck. Repeating what hasn't worked in the past is swinging at a sucker pitch. Rather than falling into old patterns, do just ONE thing differently. It could be the difference that makes the difference.
4. Don't Force It - When you're in a slump, it's easy to get worried and anxious, comtemplating the worst case scenario. You psych yourself out by putting too much pressure on yourself or forcing something to happen too fast. Instead, let it go and allow. Try meditation, exercise or relaxation to get out of the stress zone. Allow your natural gifts and talents to flourish.
5. Good Things Happen When You Swing The Bat - We know for sure you can't get a hit it the bat stays resting comfortably on your shoulder. You may have to push yourself out of your comfort zone. You may even strick out a couple times. However, if you keep swinging, good things will start to happen.
Good things happen when you swing the bat. Swing for the fences!
No comments:
Post a Comment