I quit Little League mid-game when I was a kid. I struck out and threw the
bat. After the coach got finished yelling at me, I just started walking home...clunking
along in my cleats down the sidewalk. My Dad caught up to me and said, “you can’t just
quit.” I think that must have been a tough parenting moment...because I kept walking.
As my life has continued, I’ve never really gotten good at sticking it out. If I can’t win, I
don’t like to play. And if it’s gonna take practice to get good at it, I’d rather just pass. I
tried snowboarding once. I fell and fell and fell and fell. I sucked. But rather than go
through the embarrassment of sucking for another season or two, I just passed on the
whole sport.
So I found myself in an uncomfortable position this month when I discovered myself
sucking at work. I was assigned to manage a major project...and realized that I’m lousy
at project management.
But instead of quitting, I worked harder than I ever have in my life.
I slept in the office for cripes sake.
I threw my bat *many* times...but I didn’t walk home.
In desperation I found new places in myself. I was humbled. I learned. I listened
to critiques with eagerness. *Help me be better.* Learning was the only
weapon that could help me slay this monster task.
And while I’m far from being a good manager, I’m a little bit better. More
importantly, I grew.
August 16, nineteen99
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