My Two Cents: Playing Beyond (Yourself)
"Hey Gene, did you make a difference today?",
I yelled out to my co-worker as he was leaving the office at the end of the day.
He thought that was a good question.
I routinely ask myself this question at the end of the day.
Did you make a difference today?
I believe it comes from me being an athlete and the recognition and respect that I've developed for the concept of team play and how that creates an environment conducive for winning. As corny as it may sound, it's the concept of contributing to and supporting your fellow man.
What better play is there in team sports than the execution of a pass, or a block or an assist, leading your teammate directly to a goal. When this moment occurs and it all magnificently comes together, we all get to stand and cheer; we all benefit from an environment of harmony and possibility.
To be successful, a winner at your game, a winner in life --
that's not done by passing the ball to your self.
The rules don't allow for that. And, who really wants to play alone, anyway?
The win is bolstered by the stand and support that you're willing to take for other's, for your team, for your family, for your community.
By contrary opinion, in order to win you need to create a winning environment and you create that by how you choose to play.
Whether it's a bounce pass to your team mate, a phone call to a friend, a hug for a love one or a supportive word to a colleague, making a difference leaves you closer to solidifying a winning environment; closer towards a victory in the end.
So at the end of your day today, ask yourself,
"Did I make a difference today?"
And hopefully, you can say you did.
That's my two cents (for whatever it's worth),
Auguste Roc
auguste@danaroc.com
