Game Time Decision

Recently, after a round of golf, I was sitting around a table in the club talking and one of the guys starting to speak about his son and the soccer team he was on.  This gentlemen told us about a discussion he had with his son regarding his enjoyment, or lack thereof, with the team.

 

Apparently this kid is only playing about 6 to 8 minutes a game.  Because of this, the boy isn’t happy, doesn’t look forward to practice or the games.  His Father, in an understanding yet unsympathetic way told him, “You went out for the team, you made the team, you are unhappy with the time you play.  What you have to do is show the coach something special during practice to convince him to give you more game time.  You could quit, but you could also find that spark that made you go out for the team to begin with and make an effort to make it worthwhile.”

After hearing this, I started to think about how this applies to the business world as well.  We apply for a job, we get the job, but then we become bored, malcontent, and distracted.  Why?  Either we were given an assignment or task and fell short of expectations or we just “punch in” and “punch out” acting like we don’t care.  In both cases, the boss, manager, or coach hasn’t really seen you perform nor has reason to expect anything special out of you.

 

If you feel more distracted, distant, and on the verge of quitting, then find the spark that made you apply for the position and ask for opportunities to improve.  Perhaps there is a research project you could do, maybe you could tag along on a meeting or listen in on a conference call.  Just standing up and showing interest will make him/her consider you for the next opportunity.

In the end, this kid got some great advice from his father.  Hopefully, regardless of how he chooses to deal with the soccer team, he will have a great compass to guide him in his future endeavors.  This father could have been very compassionate, told him to quit, take him out for ice cream and all will be ok.  Instead, he picked up his son, dusted him off, and said try it again.

 

Whether you are a consultant, in sales, part of a team, there was a reason that you applied your skills in such a manner.  Make it worth your while as well as make your boss feel good about the decision he or she made in hiring you and get back in the game.