Give Me The Ball!
If you have seen the 1986 film “Hoosiers” starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper, you know it contains one of the best lines in film history. Based on a true story, “Hoosiers” is about a High-School basketball team in small-town Indiana that made it to the state finals in 1954. It is a classic story of a coach with an uncertain past that leads a team against all odds to the state championship and wins! At the end of the film, the game is tied 40-40 with twenty seconds left on the clock. After a timely steal, a timeout is called by the small-town team to strategize the final play of the game. Coach Dale played by Gene Hackman knows their opponent is expecting Jimmy, the best player on the team, to take the final shot. Coach Dale decides Jimmy will be used as a decoy, and another player on the team will attempt the game winner. The team, upon hearing the news in the huddle looks defeated before the game is even over. Coach Dale shouts, “What’s the matter with you?” The team does not respond. Jimmy, however, simply says “I’ll make it!” In other words, he said “Give Me The Ball!” That’s all Jimmy Chitwood needed to say, and his coach believed him. The rest is history.
Where is the gap-the separation? What are the fundamentals that separate the winners from the losers in the great game of business? Why are some so passionate about what they do, they will literally do almost anything to achieve success? These are the go-getters-the people who design their lives, and ultimately build solid enterprises that thrive for years. And then there are the “benchwarmers”-the ones who simply sit on the sidelines watching (and waiting….) for good things to happen; things that usually never come. Unfortunately, “benchwarmers” are quick to bet on a game, but seldom participate.
This enigma has intrigued me for years. If you find yourself as curious as I was, and wishing you had the answers too, you are not alone! In my upcoming book, “Give Me The Ball! How Top Entrepreneurs Got In The Game And Won,”© many of the answers to these questions will be revealed.
Over the past months, I have been able to interview some fantastic entrepreneurs. Those who were gracious enough to give me a portion of their valuable time, shared a wealth of great advice and knowledge. These successful individuals have enormous passion for what they do! They are far beyond driven-they are ambitious, have a clear sense of purpose, and are not afraid of “roll up your sleeves” hard work.
Many also shared stories of personal challenges and obstacles they faced along the way, and how they overcame them in the face of immense adversity.
Come share with me in the journey. You will be glad you did!
Keep Winning,
“Give Me The Ball! How Top Entrepreneurs Got In The Game And Won”© will be released in the Spring of 2011. Ten-percent of the author’s proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Shriners Hospitals For Children®.
