A childhood icon gave me major league advice to use on and off the field

Last night, less than 24 hours after the San Diego Padres' supercharged win over the LA Dodgers, I was chatting with Steve Garvey, one of my childhood icons, at a charity event.

Garvey played first base for the Padres in 1984, the year I was the Biggest Baseball Fan Ever. The Padres beat the Cubs for the National League pennant in an exciting, first-ever championship series, with Garvey named MVP of the series.

It was the year I tucked a radio into my backpack so I could listen to the playoffs during English class. I made a mix tape of all the Padres playoff songs from the radio. It was exciting to have Steve Garvey in a brown-and-mustard-color Padres uniform after his long run with the Dodgers. (I love that they're going retro right now, despite the mixed reviews.)

So back to last night. Garvey had been at Petco Park for Saturday's game and I asked which of his former teams he rooted for. He answered diplomatically, showing no preference, a skill I can appreciate as a public official.

But what I really wanted to know was what was it like to have that much pressure? How did he prepare for those big games when so much was at stake? He didn't hesitate.

Garvey said he leveled out and focused on the next pitch. The next play.

While a few of us are trying to win a championship series, others are implementing a new software system, launching a new business, navigating a health or relationship challenge, or just figuring out how to make it through the day.

Fear that we'll make the wrong move can keep us from action so can the risk of public failure. The challenge could feel too big. We might only be able to see a few feet ahead, like driving through the fog. Enthusiasm can entice us to skip to the end instead of tackling the messy middle.

Trust that the next play is what deserves your focus because the outcome is out of your control.

When I applied for a job I felt someone else was better qualified for, I questioned if it was a waste of time. But I knew I didn't want to stay where I was, so I focused on the next play. I learned a lot about myself in the hiring process and signaled that I was ready for more. While it wasn't my ultimate destination, it led to a role that was better suited for me, even though the role didn't exist at the time.

You might have an end goal in mind, or just know the general direction you want to head. If you level out and set aside distractions, fears, and even excitement to just focus on the next play, you may be delighted where it leads. Take that next step.