What an Emotional Lacrosse Game Reminded Me About the Job Search

Does anyone else feel like they just looked up and half the year is already gone? In Seattle, we still have three to four weeks of school left because of snow make-up days, but the sporting events here are starting to wind down.

Last Thursday, I was at my 14-year-old son’s lacrosse semifinal game. Yes, this game was scheduled at the start of the holiday weekend, and yes, it was noted that if they won this game the Championship Game would be held Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend.

Why am I dwelling on the timing? Well, I had already planned a trip down to LA to visit my family and trips like this I absolutely covet because I'm living in Seattle with no immediate family. So, I miss them something fierce and I want my kids to have as much time as possible with their cousins and grandparents.

The original plan was to leave on Thursday. Except now, as you know, the game was scheduled for Thursday night and we made a commitment at the beginning of the season to be at every game, barring an emergency. So, I put my two older teens on the plane Thursday day, went to the game at night, and -- to be completely honest, mom guilt and all -- I silently prayed they would lose so we could go to LA the next day.

From the moment of the first face-off, this game was different. It was super intense, physical -- you could just feel the tension in the air -- and my son’s team was getting pummeled. So, I hopped on the phone with Alaska Air before half time (as it was 8-2) assuming we’d be getting on the plane the next day. I was a tiny bit excited and mentally already on the flight down to LA, taking my son with me.

As the third quarter started, a group of five boys were standing behind me on an elevated platform, next to a chain link fence, with the sun streaming through their raised sticks, chanting the team name "Let’s Go, Mercer!!!" and stomping in between. They were all of 8-10 years old and filled with hope, confidence, and pride. These little boys' cheering spirit changed the entire tide of that game and Max’s team came back to win in it the last 30 seconds, 10-9.

The verdict was in: We would not be going to LA to see my family, but rather the Championship Game that these Mercer boys earned, in a comeback like I’ve never seen before. My Mom guilt was replaced by serious mom pride as I watched them, in 90 mins time, go from losing and being defeated to digging deep in their resiliency and winning it all. It was exhilarating, not just for me, but for all of us to watch, as we cheered from the sideline.

All of this got me thinking about the candidates I coach and the transformation they go through. I know, it might sound like a reach, but everything makes me think of coaching -- that’s why I do it! A job search or interview process can feel like the playoffs. Sometimes it comes down to showing up and fighting through on the daily. Use the guidance, encouragement, and support of others - you always have a team behind you even if you're the only one on the field.

So, I didn’t end up going on the perfect trip I’d envisioned but I got to watch my son play in the lacrosse finals and I didn’t second guess it. In the end, my son’s team lost the finals in crushing form -- it happens just like bombing a final interview. But the good news is, there's a rematch in the post-season tournament. They now get to use what they learned through that defeat to fuel their strategy for the next game and you better believe I'll be front and center cheering them on...Let's go Mercer!