The beautiful game in my life

In 1977, a world-famous Brazilian footballer?Pele named his autobiography,?My Life and the Beautiful Game. He is credited with making the phrase “The Beautiful Game” synonymous with football and the phrase has since entered the language as a description for football.

For non-football fans who are reading up to this point and felt that they know next to nothing or are least interested in the beautiful game, need not close this article just yet. Many will identify with that and you are not alone, what I am about to share will be for football and non-football fans alike. For all this article is worth to you, I hope to make a difference in your life and perhaps you might become a convert to the beautiful game as a minimum takeaway that could potentially give you a new perspective in your life.

I will begin by taking a look at my favorite football club. Liverpool Football Club (LFC) has gone through a sustained period of underachievement since the early 90s and it has inevitably affected the confidence of players and fans, especially in view of the success LFC achieved during the golden era of the 70s and 80s and get knocking right off the perch by the arch-rival longest-serving manager during the Premier League era.

In Oct 2015, LFC made a shrewd recruitment of the best in the business by appointing Jurgen Klopp as the club manager and it has made all the difference today. The transformation has been done and LFC has become a “Supermodel” of the beautiful game.

LIVERPOOL HAVE GONE FROM BEING THE NOT MOST ATTRACTIVE GIRL IN THE VILLAGE TO A SUPERMODEL" - JURGEN KLOPP

Back in 2015, Klopp held his first Liverpool press conference and stated his aim that he wanted to turn LFC fans from doubters to believers which he has now put in place. Seven years into his tenure as LFC manager has already produced four European finals and – Winner of UEFA Champion League 2019, followed closely right after with - Winner of the English Premier League 2020-21 season after 30 years long years from the last league win. The volume of belief instilled by Klopp really has permeated into every crevice of LFC, and the solution-focused of “one game” at a time approach has galvanised the will of the players to change and fight for the course no matter what the circumstances are.

"I am the Normal One" as Klopp described himself, is anything but normal. He has certainly brought a fresh approach and set of eyes to the Liverpool squad which has made an impact far beyond, to even the fans!

Not long ago, I numbered myself among the unemployed persons in Singapore. Being unemployed for a long period of time can be devastating to a person's sense of self-worth and confidence. In my professional career, I have experienced the "glorious" of the past too but realised it could then become the "pain" of the present when one is in a mid-career crisis.

Amid unemployment, it is important to hold on to the belief that one has what it takes to change things for the better and focus on strategies to get out of the cycle. The ONLY choice is to make up our minds to fight and not to give up if we want something to change. No matter what the cause of unemployment was – whether it was because of your bad choices or from uncontrollable external factors, do your best to be solution-focused instead of problem-focused and every small step in the right direction is the right step to take.

First day of LFC 2018-19 pre-season - July 2, 2018        

"LIFE IS ALWAYS [ABOUT] LEARNING FROM YOUR EXPERIENCES, I HOPE WE CAN SHOW THAT - JURGEN KLOPP

Experiences have taught me that ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent.’ This football cliche is made up of two short statements. The first,?form is temporary, which means that form, or a player’s current level, their recent performances, are transitory, or will change soon, are not lasting. The second statement,?class is permanent, means that class, or natural ability, skill, a player’s real level, is permanent.

"Form" is affected where one might experience at least once in their career when there are:

1. Disruption to one's industry sector
2. Career transition
3. Rejection of multiple job applications into a new sector

However, it is the ability to demonstrate the "Class" by embracing the challenges of disruption and enhancing one's natural ability and skill despite facing the multiple jobs rejection that will put one in good stead when finally given a chance to show it.

On LFC finishing runners-up in the 2018-19 Premier League with 97 points – May 12, 2019        

"WE WILL GO AGAIN... THIS TEAM IS ONE OF THE BEST THAT EVER PLAYED FOR LIVERPOOL, 100 PER CENT" - JURGEN KLOPP

"To go again" while waiting patiently for the chance "to show" one's worth, it has to be done with a team and not alone.

"Team" of communities that will keep you going, focused, and provide growth in the following area:

• Professionally
• Socially
• Spiritually

These communities have something different to offer and can keep one organized through the support system to maintain one's health both physically and mentally. Giving back to these communities through voluntary participation and contribution in "projects" such as events, training, and learning workshops will be engaging, enriching, and ensure mindset and skillset remain sharp during the waiting period

Looking back on his three years at LFC – October 12, 2018        

"THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS TO PUT ALL I HAVE - MY KNOWLEDGE, PASSION HEART, EXPERIENCE, EVERYTHING - I THROW IT INTO THIS CLUB, 100 PER CENT." - JURGEN KLOPP

Once given the chance to show one's worth, give it all one could possibly can from where one is placed as if it is a penalty shoot-out where only one shot at goal is given and repay the faith shown by the company despite some of the niggling doubts they might have initially.

• Settled quickly and be a contributor early
• Stay passionate and positive despite the initial challenges
• Be prepared to do more and learn in the new environment that makes a difference to others.

At the end of the day, are you able to see the silver lining and be willing to give your best shot through the integration of one's experiences, life and values that could help to improve and push all the way to make a difference to others?

Do share your comments and look forward to knowing more new "teammates" through connection with you.

"It is better to give your best shot and fail than to look back in regret for lack of trying" - My parting shot, Dennis Lim