I was speaking with Conrad at the holiday party this past Thursday – and by the way, let’s give it up for NYC 62 and everyone who put it together! Such a great night with this group – we’re Rockstars at 7am, and Rockstars at 7pm!
So we’re standing there – Conrad’s had a few, and somehow we get to talking about ice hockey. He used to play over at Chelsea Piers in a league with some of the greatest pro players to ever play the game. They’re now since retired but they still can’t help but play as if they’re in the NHL – that’s how ingrained the performance level is within them.
And I’m thinking, “there’s something here.” And it hits me, Conrad has used the word tenacity at least four times in his last eight sentences. These guys check like they’re still in the pros. They hustle like they’re still in the pros. They dig for the puck. They can’t not play hard. The ethic has permeated their character.
This is our last meeting together in 2016. So I’ve got two ideas for you to close out strong.
First, there’s a difference between action and busyness. We all work hard but where can we up our games in the new year and channel our efforts in service of a higher level of play? In coaching we talk about “declare and fulfill.” What’s the declared future you’re living into? What’s the specific result you want to produce? In hockey, you send the puck up the ice and then chase it down, in service of setting up an opportunity to score a goal. You don’t ask how, you send it up and then you go right for it. What’s the declared result you’d like to produce in your business by the end of 2017? Once you have that, then we can talk about the actions you’ll take to fulfill on that declaration.
And second, this group is a bunch of champions. And we played our hearts out this year. Persistence, commitment, and tenacity have all lead to some great wins. Today, when we get toward the end of the meeting, I not only encourage us to share closed business, I invite those who have had personal highlights to get up and remind us. And let’s all of us relate to them as a win – a win for our team, LUCKY 62.
I’m proud to wear the jersey, and I know you are too!
Happy Holidays, and GO TEAM!
