Tennis...A Lesson in Life
By: Barry Roberts
I play tennis about four times a week. One of the guys I
play with, always starts the day by tossing the ball to make his serve and
announcing, “Enjoy, gentlemen!” I usually reply with, “Thanks Jon. I’m rooting
for you to come in second.” (Unless, of course, Jon is my doubles partner.) Our
tennis pro once pointed out that, “Someone is happy with every shot.”
I hear these things said quite regularly and lately it has
occurred to me that these concepts and philosophies are as true in life, just as
they are in tennis. Take for example, “Enjoy, gentlemen!” Isn’t this something
we all strive for, every day, in all we do? When we’re at play, the very concept
of play is all about enjoyment and yet most of our play, tennis, basketball,
Monopoly, card games and Pin the Tail on the Donkey, is all competitive. We
play, because we enjoy the structure of the game and the competitive nature of
the challenge and we want to win. In wanting to win we naturally are hoping that
everyone else come in second.
On the tennis courts, if I hit a winning shot, I’m real
happy about that! On the other hand, if I happen to hit an unforced error (or
even a forced error) my opponent is very happy. Someone is happy with every
shot. How true this is in every game or sport and how true in business as well.
Get the order…Happy! Lose the order to your competition and
your competition is happy. You start the day with that “Enjoy, gentlemen!”
attitude and have your ups and downs throughout the day based on how good your
“shots” are and how often the competition misses.
In tennis, when I miss a shot, I’m eager to get the ball
back in play so I can redeem myself…hit a winner. I take a few seconds to
consider just what I did wrong and what I need to do to win the next point. I’ll
consider my opponents strengths and weaker areas. Like a laser, I am focused on
that ball and will do whatever it takes, often even taking major risks, to avoid
his strengths and hit my best shot to his weak side or better still, “hit it
where he ain’t”.
Do we do that in life? After a bad day with a friend, loved
one or family member, do we blame them or consider what we did wrong? Do we
focus on making things right, right away, or do we hold a grudge? Buddy Hackett
once said, “I never hold a grudge, because while I’m busy holding a grudge, the
other guy is out dancing.” Buddy Hackett was not only hysterically funny; he was
rather wise as well. Thanks for that one Buddy.
In business, when we lose the sale, do we rethink our
strategies or consider what the competition did that won him or her that order?
How often do we (often secretly) accuse the prospect or customer of being a jerk
for not seeing the benefits of going with us? Do we brush ourselves off and jump
right back in or do we take some time to feel miserable and blame everyone else?
Do we consider our mistakes, learn from them, take some major risks and come
back to make our best shot? Tom Peters taught me that mistakes and failures are
OK, if and when we learn from those failures. In fact, he says that, companies
need to fail faster. He points out that failure is what breeds success.
So, “Enjoy, gentlemen and ladies” and remember, “Someone is
happy with every shot.” Take a risk, make your shots, be happy and enjoy the
challenge.
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