---

Guest post by: Jamie Broughton Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

My hockey team got creamed recently. It wasn’t pretty, and oohhh the lesson it taught me…

It all began in the dressing room. We were playing the “Maroon” team, one of the strongest teams in the league. The guys were joking about how they’d crushed other teams in the past and how our goalie better be prepared for lots of shots. Out on the ice in the pre-game skate, I knew we were in trouble. Not only did the other team look strong, but half our team was watching them skate, neglecting their own warm-up.

The puck dropped and the pounding started. Before we knew it, we were down two goals, then three. Frustration started to mount …then four. Groan. The fourth was particularly memorable for me. I’m a defense man. One of their forwards made me look foolish with a nifty move and blew by me to score. I was furious at my error.

Sitting on the bench, along with my frustration, villainous thoughts flashed before me. Perhaps I could put gum on the bottom of their skates or bribe the referees. “Wouldn’t it be nice if…?” scenarios raced through my mind. While it’s funny now, in that moment I realized I wasn’t enjoying the game as much as I could and it was affecting my play.

I faced a choice. I could let my disappointment with the current score spoil the rest of my time. I could continue to play the we-don’t-have-a-chance game. Or, I could make up a new game, one that would be a lot more productive, and fun. So I did. In my mind, I made the score zero-zero and created the they-won’t-score-on-my-shift game. In this situation, that game could energize me.

Did I play harder? You bet. Did they score on my shift? Yes! Did I enjoy the rest of the game? Absolutely. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

Coaching Questions

Is there a game that’s frustrating you now? It may be an industry slump, a challenging new employee, lack of clarity on another direction. You can’t change the fact that you’re where you are. At the same time, the past doesn’t have to predict the future. Think about what new game can you create now, that will give your game face a lift?

Related Articles

  Shackled to Our Own Ideas
  What Is the Right Way to Fire an Employee?
  Find Out Who You Are Talking To
  Career Advice: Less Computer, More Face Time
  F is for Following up
  Smile and the Whole World Smiles with You, Cry and You Cry Alone
  Competition Is Not Healthy
  Changing the Game
  Everything Counts
  How Are You Going To End 2011?
  How to Succeed at Work: Does Your FACE Send a Positive Message?
  What Can a Client Expect in a Virtual Working Relationship?
  Flag That Outdoor Billboard
  Sales Coaching Tip: Change Your Role to Increase Sales
  Your Face Is Even Better Than Facebook - Medical Sales Training
  Why You Hate Cold Calling But Shouldn’t: The Common Myths Exposed and Truths Uncovered
  No BS Sales Success
  Heard about online networking but not sure how it works?
  Presentation Skills Training - Why Is Mona Lisa Smiling?
  How to Sell Anything to Anybody Face to Face

Related Forum Posts

Re: Hello From England
Re: 7 Strange Japanese Inventions
Does Mentoring Have To Be Face-To-Face?
Re: what brings tears to Your eyes ????
Re: Do you have a Mentor?

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

15 Ways to Create High Visibility with FaceBook

Ten Things You Can Do To Read People Quicker

Starting a Business a Brave Move or a NoBrainer

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.