Don’t Blow The Whistle On You!

Lessons to learn are everywhere if we keep our eyes open. Wisdom can come from unexpected events and situations. Here is one such nugget from a local football game, based on an anecdote I came across recently.

This person, let us call them Mr.A to avoid confusion, was watching a local football game at a school. Dusty green fields, crisp late afternoon air, and pleasantly sunny weather- it was a perfect day to play an intense sport. Perfect for those who were winning, that is.

Mr. A reached a little late amidst the simultaneously cheering and booing crowd. He wanted to know the score. Since Mr.A was seated close to the place where all the substitute players were sitting, he asked one of the players there.

‘Hey, what’s the score?’

The young player turned around quickly, and with a pleasant smile said, ‘They are leading us 3-0.’

In ordinary words, the player’s team was losing by a margin of three goals!

Mr. A couldn’t understand if he should have been surprised or shocked by the player’s reply. Mr. A sat there just wondering for some time. He was puzzled. The player did not seem at all like he was on the losing side. Was there something the player knew which Mr. A didn’t? Was there a new rule which Mr. A seemed to be missing? Why was the young player so cheerful?

Mr. A finally decided to ask.

‘Did you say they were leading your team by three goals?’, asked a baffled looking Mr. A, and continuing, added ‘I must say you don’t look discouraged at all!’

Now it was the young player’s time to get puzzled. He asked, with a confused look on his face, ‘Discouraged? Why should I be discouraged?’ The young player saw Mr. A looking all the more baffled, and went on explaining, ‘Why should I be discouraged? The referee hasn’t blown the whistle yet. I have confidence in my team and my coach. We will definitely overcome this. ‘

As the match hit the ninety-minute mark and it ended, our confident young player’s team had won the game 5-4. Yes, they had overcome. Mr. A was again left sitting there, wondering. This time, the feeling of wonder was accompanied by a smile. The young player turned around and waved.

What did Mr.A learn?

It’s Not Over Until We Say It’s Over:

It will not be too wrong to say that many people get discouraged by their own mindsets and self -imposed limitations. They think the game is over when it’s only the half-time. They think it’s too late to do anything new when the whistle hasn’t even been blown.

It is never too late to learn a new skill. It is never too late to start a new venture. It is never too late to begin a new career. It is not over until we say it is over. It is not over- the game is pretty much always on!

A Good Attitude is Half the Battle Won:

Let us try to imagine what would have happened if the young player’s attitude was negative and defeatist. He would have thought the game is over. He would have thought his team has no chance now, and they just don’t have that kind of luck today. He might have thought him and his team losers. He might also have passed on this attitude to his teammates and the coach, who were on the field, and they might have lost the confidence to play on.

Now translate this into an office. A good attitude of trust and confidence can keep everyone going, no matter how tough the going gets. Faith in one’s skills and the willingness to figure out solutions rather than focusing on the problems are like magic potions.

A good attitude is the fuel that keeps us going, no matter how long the road is.

Mr. A, in those ninety minutes of the football match, realised that as long as there is life, nothing is impossible and it is never too late for anything. Don’t blow the whistle on yourself.

And you know what, there is an icing on the cake here: the difference between a football match and our life is that we are our own referees. We keep the game going on our own terms, and at our own pace.