Jeff’s Journal
By Jeff Whitaker
I’m sure we all wish there was a magic bullet or a special button we could push that would guarantee our preferred outcome or success in a given situation. However, the reality is that there isn’t.
I’m not a sports analyst by any means, but I can take a stab at why the Philadelphia Eagles fell short of victory last Sunday. It’s not just one thing. It most likely was a combination. From fumbles to a missed catch (or two or three), from leaving a man open when he should have been covered to even an official call that didn’t go their way, it all added up. The minutes ticked away, and the seconds fell short. Time ran out. So, it wasn’t just one thing that led to the loss. Just as it wasn’t one thing that brought the Eagles to the Super Bowl and gave them an incredible season.
Since I’m always someone who is looking for lessons to learn and analogies to life, here are my takeaways. For you and me, in our personal and professional lives, it’s never one thing that lands us where we find ourselves. There is no magic bullet. It’s a series of decisions we make, priorities we lay out, people we hang out with, times when we say yes and times when we choose to say no.
If there is one attribute that best sums up how to succeed, it would be this: consistency. It’s really not the first word you think of when you talk about reaching goals and high achievement. Usually, it’s words like momentum, hard work, making the right connections, outperforming others and setting specific targets for achievement or a particular outcome. Don’t get me wrong; these are all great contributors to reaching our goals. However, if they are only practiced periodically and not consistently, the outcome we are looking for is not nearly as achievable as we would like.
The question I wrestle with is how to wrap my mind around what to be consistent in and with and what doesn’t matter as much. For what it’s worth, my advice to you (and what I try to follow too) is to determine the goal. Then, I ask myself what consistent traits or practices, if followed, stand the greatest chance of allowing me to see that goal become a reality. In other words, what can I do consistently that will give me the greatest return? Let consistency become your go-to word. Then see if that doesn’t lead to more victories and success.
Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com
