Everyone Needs A Free Hit In Life

Free Hit: a free hit is a delivery to a batter in which the batter cannot be dismissed by any methods other than those applicable for a no-ball.

In the thrilling world of cricket, a "free hit" offers the batsman a rare, no-risk chance to score big. The beauty of it? If you fail, it doesn't count against you. There is no record against your name but if you succeed, you reap all the benefits.

In amateur golf, your friends may give you a 'mulligan' - an extra stroke allowed after a poor shot, not counted on the scorecard . Even in fantasy sports, the concept of a 'free hit' exists, where managers get the chance to make unlimited changes to their team – without points deducted.

This got me thinking. What if life offered us "free hits"? Moments where you could take significant risks without any fear of a lasting consequences. Not even a record that this opportunity was given. The advantage, should there be any, is entirely to your credit to leverage in any way you deem fair.

Imagine the impact on your confidence, self esteem, and career.

What could a version of a 'free hit' in your career look like?

The Magic of Zero Risk Opportunities ??

Imagine a job interview where you could present your most daring ideas without the fear of rejection or judgment. Or the thought of pitching a revolutionary project to your boss with the assurance that a 'no' would not affect your career. These "free hits" could redefine how we approach opportunities and innovation.

Boosting Confidence and Creativity ??

The freedom to fail is the liberty to be creative. "Free hits" in life could strip away the anxiety of imperfection that shackles our potential, nurturing an environment where creativity blooms. Whether it's a new business idea, a creative project, or even a personal goal like running a marathon, the notion of a "free hit" could provide the psychological safety needed to truly innovate and excel.

?? Why We Need These Opportunities

I love the idea of a 'free hit' in life. My mind racing in all directions, has been imaging its impact on children and how they view the world, the levels of motivation for employees who had this as an opportunity to leverage or perhaps for those ill and ailing who want to experiment with something that could change the course of their healing.

In neuroscience, we understand that the brain experiences two type of changes. The first is a purely chemical change which is as a result of a short lived stimulus. You listen to a motivational video or talk and feel pumped to take action. A day later, the motivation to act has reduced. Chemical changes are short lived.

The second are structural changes that are a result of more consistent stimuli. Repeating a habit daily or listening to a similar type of motivation consistently starts to create more structural changes in the brain, This is the science of habit formation, the process by which we create long lasting shifts in our neurobiology.

Reflecting on this, I wondered, what neurological impacts with the idea of a 'free hit' in life have on our psychology. Would it make us more daring or more complacent, more motivated or more lazy, more rational or more creative?

I have spent the better part of a few decades working with children (most in sport), but I have seen the impact of the environment on their psychology. I often think about that pivotal age when bravery turns to fear, when belief turns to doubt and when dreaming big must become a more structured, rational vision. I often ask myself, how can I bring back those feeling in adults I work with, even if just to remind them of the days when their imagination was the driving force. In sport, 'free hits' do not just bring back that wildly imaginative side, they forge it with a belief that leads to action. No one gets a free hit and thinks about taking a single. Irrespective of your batting prowess, you look to the fences.

The world we live in is so rapidly changing, we should all be looking towards the fences and dreaming of hitting that opportunity out the park.

The 'free hit' was an idea conceptualised in a marketing boardroom with its only goal being entertainment and fan engagement. Why should it remain that, I ask?

More "free hits" in our professional lives. Who knows?

The next free swing you take might just be the home run of your career.

#CareerDevelopment #Innovation #RiskTaking #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #Leadership #ShayamalVallabhjee #Neuroscience

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences about "free hits" in your life or career. Could this be the future we all need? Let's discuss!