Bored? Play as if it were your last shot…

On and off, I’ve been playing tennis for more than 15 years.  And today was my second day back on the court after not playing for more than 6 months.  For the tennis aficionados out there, you’ll know that the second day back after a long break feels much much better than the first one.  It’s all about getting the timing right…

I can’t say that my timing is all back, but it’s close enough that now I can start to think strategically – and some times even deliver on those strategies.  While thinking about where to place the ball, I remember what Billy Jean King once said – that winning at tennis is about making a lot of right decisions at a very fast rate.  Talk about great training for the business world!

To succeed at that, there’s no other way but to be present – to be in the now.  At the rate a tennis ball is returned by pros, even a quick blink can be painful.  And how does one succeed at being present for an extended period of time? 

The best way I know how is to approach each and every shot as if it were my last one.  That is how I’m able to give each shot in a rally my absolute 100%.  There’s no mind-wondering, no boredom, no second guessing.  All there is, is pure energy and adrenaline running through my body helping me focus on hitting my best shot – ever.  It’s besides the point if I hit a winning shot or not – the main objective is to play with my all.  The rest will take care of itself. And today it did.  I played better than I had at my peak – when I was training several hours a day. 

(business) morale of the story?

Whenever you’re feeling bored, do the opposite of retracting – or slipping away in your chair.  Work as if it were your last chance to make a difference, to win a deal, to develop a product, to solve an issue – and watch your energy carry you through.

And keep me posted.