It’s not about NOW; it’s about NEW

Seth Godin shared this idea on his blog the other day:


“All of us struggle when our identity doesn’t match the reality of the world around us. In the face of that confusion, it’s tempting to abandon possibility and to walk away from an opportunity simply because it doesn’t resonate with the person we are in this moment. But only when we do something new do we often begin to become someone new.”


A couple of phrases, in particular, had me returning to that thought again and again.

  • Abandon possibility

  • Walk away

How often do we do those two things? How often does a friend, a co-worker, or a connection on Linked In share a potential opportunity with us? At first, we’re intrigued. Then after a few minutes of reflection, we say, “Nah, that’s not me.”


Now.


That’s not me NOW. That’s what we really mean.


But here’s the problem. While human beings are meant to LIVE in the now, we’ve also been designed to grow into the NEW.


Yes, you.


You’ve been created to become new. 


Each and every day.


By performing many of the same tasks you’re completing right now. Just in a different way.



So our question should never be, WHAT do I want to do? The focus should always be on HOW we do it.



Bruce Lee famously said, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”


That’s mastery.


Or how about Mike Krzyzewski, when asked how he stays so engaged in coaching the Duke Blue Devils after more than 40 years on the job.


“Each season is my first journey with this particular group of guys,” he explained. “Since it’s our first, I want to make it memorable and special for them.”


That’s perspective.


So here’s our challenge for the week:



How do we know we possess it if we don’t express it?


Here’s what I mean: Others can’t actually see what’s growing inside of us. It can only be EXPERIENCED by them. And the only way they can experience it is if we attempt to share it.


I’ve had coaches tell me countless times, “I can’t work with younger kids. I don’t have the patience.”


“I don’t believe I have patience NOW.” That’s what they really mean.


But can their patience grow? How will you REALLY know if you never put yourself in a position to express it?


Ask any parent who’s sat through one of my basketball training sessions. No doubt they’ve heard me pose this question dozens of times:


“How do we get better at shooting left-handed layups?”


(Pause)


“By shooting left-handed layups.”


Still, many children refuse to even try it.


Their refusal has nothing to do with skill. It’s an inside job.


No doubt you and I can relate in our own lives.


“I’m not courageous.”


“I just don’t have any discipline.”


“I … (insert excuse here).


Here’s the bottom line: Achieving excellence in any task, any sport or any career has nothing to do with OUTcomes. But it has everything to do with BEcomes.


In other words, the best of the best have learned their success does not depend on the OUTcome of an event, but by the energy they put INTO their efforts to grow.


So let’s return to the Seth Godin quote: “But only when we do something new do we often begin to become someone new.”


I don’t believe he’s actually encouraging us to leave our jobs, our spouses or where we live. Instead, I believe he’s suggesting we keep doing what we’re doing in a NEW way.


With a new perspective, like Coach K.


And with a new focus on mastery, like Bruce Lee. 


Remember …


Our question should never be, WHAT do I want to do? The focus should always be on HOW we do it.


Maybe we’re not there NOW. But with practice and persistence, I’m confident we’ll grow into our NEW.


And we’ll all be better for it.


(Tim Kolodziej is the author of this piece and founder of EnspireU.com. When he’s not behind a laptop, he can be found inside a gym helping young athletes create their own unique future — one rep at a time. Click here to connect with him by email.)

Tim Kolodziej