Recently, during an early morning practice with a client facing a high pressure moment of truth, I played with a new idea of mine. I’d never played with this idea EVER. First time, but clearly not the last. Here’s some context…
Dude is up against it. Facing a business meeting that could make or break him (at least in his mind). BIG moment. Lots to lose. Could go either way. Here’s what I told him. Actually, I started by asking him a question.
“Today,” I told him, “you only have one foot. Do you know what I mean?” He did not. So, I told him to guess. He guessed one step at a time. Nope. He guessed left foot right foot. Nope. He paused. I dished. Here’s verbatim what I told him.
“Your only foot is your front foot.”
I waited a few seconds and then he told me he got it. Loved it, in fact. Started remembering how much he loves these moments and they aren’t do or die. Nope, not even close. These moments are dream and do. He’s living his OPUS and needed a reminder – pressure is a privilege. He gets to play with it. Damn.
Next, I reminded him to have fun.
What? Yup, have fun in these MOT (moments of truth). Front foot and fun. This is a great pressure swing thought. Being on your front foot is fun. What’s the alternative? Living on the back one. Is that fun, I asked rhetorically. Hell no. It’s fear based living and working. It aint playing. Feels defensive. Playing not to lose. He laughed.
I could feel his weight shifting. Front foot and fun. CCD, reminded him he’s got this. Ended the call. Smiled to myself. That was fun, I told myself. Let’s play with this one some mo. So, I did. Played with Lil Jeggie and a team of golfers. Ate it up. Played with a team of LAX leaders. The smiles and nods confirmed my suspicions. Front foot and fun is sticky. Memorable. Why?
Because it’s truth.
You only have one foot, friend. It’s called your front foot. Play your game leaning forward with a smile on your face. Have fun with the hard things. Remember – Life is hard. And, it’s meant to be fun. Replace do or die with dream and do. Play with it. Damn.
Live hard. Love harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 