Think of Each Day as a Game With Four Quarters

We all miss shots — the true players don’t dwell on the shots they just missed, but on the ones they’re about to take

Some days I feel I’m on my game; others seem like a series of misses. Monday, I’m firing on all cylinders; Tuesday, I’m scatterbrained, and simple logic eludes me.

I was all excited about my first pickleball lesson yesterday. I was a bit apprehensive — a new experience. New people. I watched some YouTube tutorials before I left to acquaint myself with the play and rules. I psyched myself up for a great time and some physical and social activity.

I arrived at the gym, and it was quiet. I may have gone to the wrong park or had the wrong day. The guy at the reception desk checked the schedule. “No beginner pickleball today” Then another guy yelled from an office behind me, “Those sessions start tomorrow.”

Ughh! I was at the right place, only at the wrong time. I laughed at myself, returned to my car, and drove home, wondering how I was off a day. My inner friend told me it happens to the best of us. I agreed with him. He’s a smart guy. He always says, “It’s over; put it behind you and go on with your day.”

I just heard a story about a guy who had a nightmare job interview. He put the wrong day on his calendar, so he woke late to discover several messages asking where he was.

He called, apologized, and rushed to dress. He couldn’t find his belt. As he ran into the building for his interview, he spilled coffee all over his shirt and the floor. He was six hours late when he arrived for the interview. He was covered in coffee and holding his pants up with his hands.

I would’ve given up — many of us would’ve aborted the mission. The guy just laughed. He shrugged it off and did his best. It turns out he aced the interview. The next day, he was offered the position. He refused to believe he was down for the count.

The sports world is packed with stories relating to fallback and victory. The New England Patriots overcame a 28–3 third-quarter deficit to beat the Falcons in the 2017 Superbowl. These moments happen a lot more than expected. As the legendary Yogi Berra once asserted, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

When we have a terrible morning or something challenging or unexpected hits us at work, we often let it ruin the rest of our day. We use it as an excuse to toss in the towel. Author Gretchen Rubin suggests that we consider each day a game with four quarters — morning, mid-day, afternoon, and evening.

If you blow one quarter, get right back on track for the next quarter of play. We don’t need to wait for tomorrow or next week. You can turn things around right now. We all screw up and miss shots. The best players, the true champions, don’t dwell on the shot they just missed. They focus on the shot they are about to take.

Much like the guy who aced the interview. He had a sloppy and miscalculated first half, but he locked in during crunch time and ended up winning the game.

We all slip and fall. When we feel like we’re lying in the mud, we wipe away the blood and sweat and blink back the tears. We look ahead to where the next opportunity lies.

From now on, start thinking of every day in terms of sports quarters. Realize that no deficit is too great to overcome. I’m aiming to win the next quarter of my day. How about you?

Inspired by: Calm/The Daily Jay Podcast

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