Winning On Your Worst Day
No matter how much you take care of our minds and bodies it is inevitable that you will have an “off” day. A day when you can’t get into a healthy rhythm and accomplish all that’s on your list.
It’s okay to have an off day. You’re human. We all are. But just because you’re having an off day doesn’t mean that day is as a waste.
There is no secret formula to transform a loser day into a winner day. Anyone who tries to tell you there is is only fooling themselves. Being productive in the midst of a dry spell is all about team work. When Lebron James has an off night D-Wade is right there to pick up the slack.
My Loser of a Day
I was recently in a creative team meeting and I was not in my usual rhythm. Our meetings create space to give birth to ideas and give time for those great ideas to develop into great content and strategy. In the midst of my off day I was slacking by compromising basic principles. I didn’t have the energy to change. Then something happened. I wouldn’t even realize what happened until hours later.
I don’t know if my teammate and friend noticed that I was not myself, but in the midst of my fumbling, she stepped in and started asking the questions I usually pose. “Who is our audience? What are we asking people to do? Why are we even desiring a presence in this market?” Her leadership helped guide conversation and through it we avoided wasting time with misdirection.
What Is the Lesson We Can Learn?
The lesson is not found in what happened that day. The lesson to be learned is found in the months leading up to that day. By investing in my relationship with this teammate and explaining to her why we do things the way we do them… why we shoot for the stars though the street light is much closer, she was able to step in. She applied everything she had learned and did what I could not on that day… be an effective leader. We won on my worst day.
This Is a Call to Mentor
If you consider yourself a leader you must pursue a deep and significant investment in your teammates. Only the narcissist would turn a blind eye to mentoring and raising up others to contribute to the overall mission of the team. Are you a narcissist or are you ready to admit you’re not perfect and you need others?
Who are you investing in? Who will be your D-Wade? Who will help your team shine in the midst of the cloud hanging over your head?
Great post Dave! Love the authenticity. I know with my team I have had learn to step back and take pride not in my ideas but in the fact that they are bringing their own now. If you’re team isn’t getting better under you are you actually leading or just being a dictator?
Keep it up man, you’re an inspiration.
Your last line is money and I’m going to use that. “If your team isn’t getting better under you, are you actually leading or just being a dictator?” LOVE IT! Thanks for chiming in.
Great word Dave. I recently am investing into men whom recently married. Helping navigate business and life while loving and leading their wives and kids. Very fulfilling.
That’s great, Tim. Love that you have a focus on who you’re investing in. That focus really allows for a deep impact. Will be praying for you, definitely.
What a great reminder Dave! I was recently with a friend that described mentoring this way…”Mentoring is the art of holistically and intentionally pouring myself into the life of another for the chief goal of their benefit and self discovery.” For me to see the people that I have intentionally invested in do amazing things is the best part of each week…And what compels me to want to do it more!
Scott, as one who has had the privilege of being mentored by you, I can definitely say that your intentionality is noticeable. The impact you’ve had on my life is, to this day, present in nearly everything I do. I am so excited to know that you’re continuing to pursue investing in the lives of us “young guys,” because we need you!
Thanks for this reminder today! I’ve always been taught that there are 3 parts to the mentoring process; 1) You have to have a “Paul” in your life; someone to mentor you and pour their wisdom and knowledge into your life and help guide your walk. 2) You have to have a “Timothy”, which is what you were talking about today, someone that you can be a “Paul” to. Finally, 3) You have to have a “Barnabus”, someone that’s in your same stage of life to walk along side you and share in your struggles, your triumphs, and help hold you accountable.
Most of us have a Paul, that person we are constantly turning to for advice, and hopefully we all have at least one, if not many, Barnabus’ in our lives. But I’m thankful for your reminder today to seek out ways to pour into others; to not be selfish in only receiving, but also to share and to lead others.
Yet again, the Bible offers such clear insight into the mentoring and life process. You’ve highlighted clearly, there is nothing new under the sun but reminders are always necessary. Thank you Stephanie for commenting and sharing your thoughts!
I love this article! So many of us can relate to this in so many different lines of work. Sometimes I feel like I can have more off days that on, haha. It’s always uplifting when others can step in and pick up the slack on our off days. Being able to relate to one another in this way definitely brings unity and strength to a team of co-workers. It’s such a blessing and very encouraging when a co-worker can uplift you in this way. I think this a great message to all of us, not only to relate to our own off days, but to also keep in mind that those we work with can have off days as well, and how important it is for us to uplift them in these instances.
Well said. I love the way you turn it around by saying we need to look for those around us who are having off days and how we can encourage them. Love it. Thank you Kristen for sharing your thoughts!