Spring Training!

Pitchers and catchers report this week. Those are words for any baseball fan that bring joy and excitement to mind. That means Spring Training is beginning, and the regular season is about 6 weeks behind that.

It’s an exciting time. Everyone has a 0-0 record. Fan bases are eager for an opportunity to cheer on a World Series run.

Spring Training is also great because the weather is usually amazing and a break from the cold. A hope for warmer weather. Sunny and blue skies. Summer time. Vacations. Beers and hot dogs at the park. That’s what it’s all about.

There’s another side to this, too. This is also a time when people working in the industry shift their time at home to time at work. Players, coaches, front office members, etc. Many have families and loved ones who are not in their cities. They’re not coming back home every night to their significant others. Their kids. They know that this time means life-changing events are about to start being missed. Games, dinners, movie nights, weddings, funerals, etc. Not for a few weeks. For pretty much 8-9 months.

All things that come with the territory, but don’t always make it any easier.

It’s the reality of this business that I think if you’re not in it, you don’t really understand or appreciate.

What does this have to do with being a high performer?

Sacrifices and intentionality.

To be a coach, a player, or anything else, there are sacrifices made. Sacrifices are one thing, but sacrificing without purpose wastes yours and everyone else’s time.

How you spend your time is a key factor in being at your highest level. Being intentional with what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, when, where, etc., are all massive considerations for high performers. They know the sacrifices they make and the decisions they need to make to be their best. If they’re not trying to maximize their time, then why are they willing to sacrifice all the things mentioned above? That’s not fair to the people who are closest to them.

This isn’t a piece of writing that asks for sympathy from those outside of the industry. They are choices shaped by opportunities.

What this is trying to do is explain the realities of what happens and how I think how the best navigate it.

Spring Training is not a vacation. It’s preparation. It’s getting back to the basics. It’s tears shed. It’s everything above. Knowing that another year of travel, late nights, etc., is in front of those involved with the game.

But, they love it. And so do the ones closest to them. They have to.

When I work with high performers, part of what I do is keep it real with them. Providing perspective. Being a sounding board, idea generator, and outside resource. Shedding light on something that may not be seen.

Today, I urge you to be thankful for the hope of Spring and also ask yourself how intentional you are with your time.

Is it really to the level of the best, or is there more in the tank?

Love you guys!