Babe Ruth had a batting average of .342. This is a very good batting average, well above average in baseball. This very good batting average is essentially saying that Babe Ruth hit (without fouling) roughly one third of the balls pitched to him. One third. 1/3. Which is to say: Two-thirds – the majority – of the balls pitched to him were either strikes or fouls.
This time of year is notorious for the making – and breaking – of goals for big life renovations. The breaking part is so nerve-jangling to many that we avoid taking the swing at bringing that level of specificity and intention to moving toward our biggest selves and baddest lives.
People tell me all the time that they don’t make resolutions and I think that’s perfectly lovely, so long as you do something to be intentional with these brief, possibility-packed lifetimes we have.
So I ask you, what would change if you used Babe Ruth as inspiration for your goal-setting? For example:
- I intend to go to the gym five days a week and if I strike out, I’ll take another swing the next day?
- I intend to meditate every morning and if I lose focus and realize I spent the whole time thinking about that night’s dinner or that mean kid in 6th grade, I’ll call it a foul and try again, and again?
- I intend to eat only foods that nourish me and if I find myself with half of a big ole chocolate chip cookie in my hand and the other half jammed into my gob, I’ll regroup in the dugout and hit the salads the next day.
Maybe you’re not so much into baseball, though. How about this one from basketball great (and – with a .202 batting average – baseball-solidly-mediocre) Michael Jordan:
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
Change isn’t about acing the serve. It’s about stepping onto the court again and again.
Ah, sportsball. Always good for a metaphor, as is the fast car go-in-a-circle one where they say “Rubbing is racing,” but that’s a different topic altogether. A great way to steel your courage for starting again and again is by joining up with community doing the same; the folks who subscribe to my newsletter are on board, and some of them are waiting to connect with you on Wednesdays at Chomp & Chat. Find them and all the bonuses I send out on Mondays by signing up here.