As I have been getting ready for LexBlog’s upcoming webinar (6/25; 1pm EST), I found myself reflecting on my preparation style. I just so happened to run across a post published by Ric Leczel (Catering Sales Manager at Aramark) titled Why Life is Like Softball that really got me thinking. Growing up I played just about every sport available to me until I found one that I was truly passionate about: softball. Well and the fact that I could not bring myself back to gymnastics after a neck injury which included several weeks of wearing a brace. Not fun when you are a sixth grader surrounded by kids looking to poke fun at just about anything. I am a huge believer that everything happens for a reason. That injury was my reason to move on to a sport that would change my life forever.
Once I realized that softball was my thing, I put my whole heart into it and tried out for a travel team. Sorry Mom and Dad. We were gone virtually every weekend in the summer and practiced in the off season. Looking back, I learned many lessons on that softball field that I have carried with me into my career today. There are many similarities in how I prepared for a softball game and the way that I prepare for a client call or meeting. I throw my entire heart into it, overthink, research, talk to my teammates, psych myself out, give myself pep talks and am filled with nervous energy. Just ask Jenna…she’ll likely tell you all about it. I probably had thousands of at bats during my softball career and could field a grounder or pop fly in my sleep but those butterflies existed just as intensely in inning seven as they did in inning one. I used to think something was wrong with me and as I have matured in my career, I realized this is just part of who I am. I never want to let my team down. Though I have learned the great thing about a team is they are always there to pick you back up.
I know you are thinking, Kara, hurry up and get to the point. I am getting there. I was naturally attracted to a business development career coming off the softball field because it allowed me the opportunity to be part of a team and to also have the blood rushing, nervous energy I felt every time I “stepped up to the plate.” I think that Ric hit the nail on the head when he said:
Every game starts fresh, every at-bat starts fresh, and every pitch is a fresh start. Anything and everything can change at any moment, on any pitch, on any play. Momentum can be sustained or halted, and the game can be won or lost with one swing of the bat. In business, the same can happen. Each member of the team has to anticipate the play, to know where the ball is going once it gets to them, and to back up the play if they are not directly involved in the action.
I just passed my four year anniversary at LexBlog and prior to that spent another four years in-house at a professional services firm. I talk about social media and how it intersects with relationships and business development practically everyday. I use social media to listen and connect with friends, colleagues, potential clients and clients. I know my material. I am prepared. The butterflies and nervous energy are flowing through me. I will work hard to share helpful information with my audience and my team back in Seattle. I can’t help but reflect on the one at bat I will never forget. Picture this: 2 outs, runners on 2nd & 3rd, down by 1 and I am at bat. I grounded out and pop flied out the previous at bats. But this was a fresh start and I knew what I was doing. End result: hit a triple, won the game.
That story was not intended to brag. It is one I think about often when faced with a new challenge or opportunity. Tomorrow’s new opportunity is to lead a LexBlog webinar.
PS – Image above is my 2003 high school team (Mother McAuley – Southside of Chicago) regional champs.