Fancy a Pint?

What is it about a pint of beer / [insert your favorite beverage] that is so enjoyable? Is it the taste, aroma, consistency, and color? Or is it the association, experience, memories, and broader context? 

We probably don’t really think about it much but as I took off in flight earlier this week from Austin to NYC, for some reason, I did! I was reminiscing about some great memories I had enjoyed over a pint. So I started jotting it down.

Disclosure: Far be it from me to want to incentivize people to drink. I mean, at least not to excess. I’m sure we all know people who have had problems with alcohol or may even have lost control ourselves for one-off evenings or cycles of time. We all appreciate how serious that is- how dangerous, hurtful and life-critical it can be. We likely all know people who have managed to come out the other side with the strength, discipline and commitment to become better versions of themselves. So, let’s take excess drinking of the table for this article and get back to a relaxing, purposeful, pint.

Drinking has been part of my culture back home in the UK, whether it be a drink with dinner or wine with Sunday lunch. It was a family thing. That, plus a pint at the pub with my mates - we were allowed to do that from an early age - it was just part of the responsibility of growing up. One of my favorite statements when I’m on holiday and a decision needs to be made is “let’s have a beer and think about it”. So long as there aren’t too many decisions to be made each day, it works pretty well! The point isn't to get drunk, rather to relax and enjoy the moment.

So to me, it’s all about what a pint represents. Here’s some reasons why I love a pint:

On my own:

Permission to unwind / switch off- after a hectic day or week, cracking open a bottle, pouring out a can or sipping a draft beer at the local is a change of scene, representing time to relax. It also enables me to be with my thoughts- sometimes I enjoy a pint while thinking- journaling, reading / researching. Each sip seems to reinforce what I’m learning or creating.

Finding balance & gaining perspective- a pint can separate us from from a stressful situation, literally, as it’s unlikely we’ll have a pint while in a negotiation / meeting / at our desk / during a heated discussion. Going somewhere different to enjoy a pint can enable us to step back, review a situation with some space and gain a better perspective.

A reward for a job well done- I’ve always had an extremely dedicated work ethic- whether on or off the field. When I captained Old Blue I used to say to the lads “earn your ales”. Leave literally everything you have on the field and the post-match pint will be that much sweeter & more rewarding. The same carries over for work. Sometimes a pint is a small celebration for a job well done!

With someone else:

There are a lot of reasons why grabbing a pint with someone else resonates with me: I could be asking for advice, or have been asked to provide some; perhaps sharing some great news or congratulating someone on theirs; saying thank-you; breaking the ice on a difficult conversation; or even providing closure on a tough subject. In all these instances, grabbing a pint with someone is an intimate opportunity to be completely immersed in the conversation. From saying cheers to taking the first sip. A pint provides the connection and permission to be open in conversation.

Of course, you may just fancy a pint to catch up and talk about nothing. That serves a positive purpose too- being one with the company- just because!

With a group:

There’s something about sharing a pint with a group that brings everyone together. Whether it’s celebrating a reunion, brainstorming an idea, or just informal time with the team. A pint gives permission for everyone to be themselves, to relax and share their thoughts openly in a peer-to-peer setting that may just not be present in the board room or office. 

Matching my mood:

Lastly, I like to pick the beer for the occasion! On holiday I love a local beer - it just seems to taste better in its native-land. Even just visiting another state in the US, it’s nice to try their version of whatever I’m in the mood for. In the winter,for me, nothing beats a great pint of Guinness in a warm pub on a cold day; and in the summer a craft IPA to sip away at and enjoy as the sun beats down.

To sum it up for me, enjoying a pint is permission to be in the moment. Everything else can fade away and we can enjoy the moment for what it is whether with company or alone. While there are plenty of other ways to be in the moment and I've written about a bunch of them over the last 18 months, a pint holds a special place for me! How about you?

Cheers!

For 2019, I’ll be writing twice per month- once professionally, once personally. The underlying theme will be around what I’m engaged in, why I’m excited about it and how I’m focusing my energy on it. I’ll refer to insights from both my core principles and previous articles that fit into three primary areas of Moments, Mastery and Mindset. My objective would be to keep me on track with progress, maintain positivity and to connect and learn from any of you who may be having similar experiences.

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@MarkGriffRugby @USARugby @VitaSportUSA @PlayRugbyUSA

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