Every one of us will have a few defining moments, or “moments of truth,” as the saying goes. We all want these moments to define us in the most positive of lights. The problem, however, is that very few of us are prepared. Excellence matters. And, excellence is earned slowly, rigorously, and through the disciplined pursuit of perfection. Few take the time to really prepare. Few.
The vast majority have not been mastering our craft, mastering ourselves, and mastering our ability to sCORE. We’ve been too busy just trying to “do our job” as so many have told me. There’s no time for clarifying the overarching vision, purpose, unifying strategies, and scorecard for significance. So, a life of OPUS defaults to one of labor. Moments of truth come and go without so much as a notice. We’re too busy, distracted, and tired, to notice. Or, when we do notice, when the stage lights are so bright we can’t miss the call, we stumble on stage and make a mess of the moment. We promise ourselves, never again. Never again will I dare to dream, attempt to fly, make a difference, or take a stand. The pop is gone from this laborer’s stride. So they sit and wait for the ride to end. The road to retirement becomes their focus and that moment can’t come quickly enough. This sounds awful and is awfully common, isn’t it?
Thank God there are some that seize their “moments of truth.” Actually in the case of Captain Sully it was a few moments from the time his plane flew through geese to a beautiful belly landing on the Hudson. Thank God he had been practicing his OPUS and was commanding a plane that represented his labor of love. A love that had led him to “plank his ass off” flying and teaching flying of just about anything that could fly, including gliders. His OPUS, you see, had given him plenty of Pop in his step. His decision to master his craft was manifest in his decision to act. He had developed his own playbook of productive action (pop) and then got busy baby stepping his way toward excellence. This is the path to mastering your moments of truth.
Your moments of truth will come. The key question is, will you notice, will you be ready, will you react with calm confidence, and will you have practiced to the point of mastery to make it look easy with your virtuous second nature? Excellence matters. Building your second nature matters. Authoring and living a life of OPUS matters. Are you getting this, in this moment, I wonder.
Last night, during practice nine with a team of grapplers, they were given a moment to think about their role on this team. They were given a gift. They were given the gift of time, challenged to use it to build their second nature, and asked to understand that excellence is required of starters and backups alike. The same is true for you and your team. Are you ready for your moment? Are you ready to step up when your opportunity arrives? Are you building within while the wind is calm and the skies are blue? Are you taking advantage of your gifts?
God, help me notice, be ready, practice to the point of mastery, build my virtuous second nature, and react with a calm confidence in my moments of truth.
God, help me…
BUILT TO LEAD 