Change The Focus
Scott Cavanaugh
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Licensing at Travel + Leisure Co.
In 1995 the Seattle Mariners were at a cross road: they had earlier in the 90’s hired Lou Piniella as the manager who delivered only the second winning season in their history, but the season did not start off much different than others. In fact they were 13 games behind the Anaheim Angels on August 1st. With incredible determination and team work they fought back to tie the Angels at the end of the regular season and were victorious in the one game play off. Their reward was a 5-game series versus the New York Yankees. The Yanks went up two games to zero, but the Mariners fought back to tie the series. I was lucky enough to get tickets to game 5 (in Seattle) and it was here where I saw the best double ever. In the bottom of the 9th, Edgar Martinez hit a shot to left field that scored Ken Griffey, Jr from first base to win the game. This double saved the Mariners as the state eventually voted and approved the new Safeco stadium. Baseball was saved in Seattle and not from a home run, but from a double.
While it is great to hit the home run it is equally important to hit the singles and doubles as they will also advance us to victory.
Let's start changing the focus on things that might be right in front of us or little things like hitting singles. In today's Ted Talk you will here from Rory Sutherland about intangible value and how just shifting things (listen to how the Shreddie square becomes a diamond) just a little can change the way we think about things. His talk is worth the 16 minutes.
STAY OPEN MINDED LONGER!
CEO | President | COO | Operations Lead
4 年Hey Scott. Loved the story and the message. Thanks for sharing it. And a big thanks as well to the Mariners for subsequently "sharing" Randy Johnson to the Astro's and then, importantly, the D'backs, who accepted him for who he was and leveraged his talents all the way to a 2001 World Championship (by beating those same Yankees)! All the best to you, my friend.
President - Bear Down Logistics | Former 12 Yr NFL Vet | Chicago Bear | Global Motivational Speaker | Leadership & Team Development Specialist | 2x Published Author - Principles of Winning | Podcaster
4 年Scott Cavanaugh I have been guilty myself of not enjoying the journey and having too much focus on the destination. I agree we need to see what’s right in front of us and appreciate the small things. It’s the small accomplishments that add up to the big dreams being fulfilled.
Leader with a serving heart | Driving Strategic Partnerships & Business Growth l Travel & Leisure
4 年So great to read your insights Scott! Hope all is well with you!