Why Not Do Your Best?
Stop drifting…Sprint to the finish. Write off your hopes, and if your well-being matters to you, be your own savior while you can.” - Marcus Aurelius
Not too often do I allow conversations to haunt me after the fact – the recent self-development of temperance and “stillness” has proven to work pretty well.
Well, that’s what I tell myself…
But a recent question from a colleague weeks ago continues to linger with me, with the vexatious words of “why not”?
Some may know I used to play sports at a high level – baseball specifically. I’m not sure why I choose this sport.
Perhaps because I had a deranged enjoyment for failure.
Perhaps because my father played professionally, and it was ALWAYS around me.
Perhaps because I was too slow to achieve the same in other sports.
Regardless, it was a part of who I was through the age of 24.
Now I dedicate nearly 100% of my free time coaching women’s youth competitive softball – the faster, more strategic counterpart to baseball. I love it.
I love it not for the physical play but for the opportunity to guide, development and mold young athletes at such an impactful chapter of their lives.
Back to that evocative question posed to me a few weeks ago…
“Hey, if you could go back to 12 years old, what would you have chosen to do differently in your approach to sports? What about you would have been different?”.
Other than spending less time collecting baseball cards, sneaking twinkies in my room without Dad noticing and investing early in Exxon…here is my list:
1. I would have never followed the crowd. Things might seem cool today, but that crowd is not going where I want to go.
2. I would sprint to my position every single time. It wouldn’t be something I do. It would be who I am.
3. I would show up early, always dressed, looking prepared. I would look more experienced than I really am.
4. I would play with more intensity. Effort is a baseline requirement. Coaches do not want to coach effort.
5. I would never hang my head if I made an error, struck out, or gave up the game-winning hit. I would’ve been kinder to myself - because I know I’m good and I will win the next go round.
6. I would have played catch like I was already playing for a D1 school. With purpose, polish and intensity.
7. I would be known for my work ethic and being a selfless teammate. When this game is over, all you have to be known for is your character. People will always forget your performance.
8. I would have played fearless and put more of my safety in God’s hands.
9. I would’ve treated my equipment like my Golden Retriever. Unconditional kindness and respect. We must have temperance and control of emotions.
10. I would’ve told more coaches and more umpires how much I value and respect what they do.
I recall a story I read in a recent Ryan Holiday book when little-known young Jimmy Carter (who later became the 39th US President) was being interviewed by Admiral Hyman Rickover, the 'father of Nuclear Navy’, for a in the nuclear submarine program.
For 2-3 hours, Rickover quizzed Carter about strategy, tactics, physics, history, literature, and other technical issues.
Carter had prepared for weeks so the interview was going well.
But unexpectedly, Rickover asked young Carter “Where were you ranked in your class at the Naval Academy?”
Being a brilliant student, Carter viewed this as an opportunity to shine.
Beaming with pride he replied, “I was ranked 59th in a class of 840 Sir”.
Finishing among the top 10% in any class is an EXCELLENT result, and the Naval Academy was no exception.
So, expecting a congratulatory smile or at least a nod of approval, Carter was surprised to hear a follow-up question.
Rickover asked him, “Did you always do your best?”
Carter was about to instinctively answer that of course he always did his best, but something caused him to pause.
Recounting the event years later, Carter said: “No Sir, I didn’t always do my best.”
The admiral, Rickover said nothing. He simply stood up and left.
But before leaving, he stared at the young man for a long time before asking one last question, “WHY NOT?”
Like “Why didn’t you always do your best?” Carter would never forget the question.
The question became a driving force guided everything he did afterward, and eventually propelled him into the White House.
Although I could stretch my list of 10 to something much longer, I do not recall why I didn’t do my best at a young age.
Perhaps I didn’t know what doing my best really was.
Perhaps I didn’t understand the impact it would have made on my future self.
Perhaps I didn’t believe it at the time.
I cannot be 12 again.
But I do realize who I am today determines the course of how I will benefit tomorrow.
Love. Family. Relationships. Education. Finances. Character.
I have no excuse not to do my best, every day. So let’s start today.
