For those who might be unfamiliar with America’s pastime, the position closest to the first baseman in the game of baseball is the second baseman. The defensive distance between these two players is usually no more than 30 feet. Furthermore, the game itself consists of throwing, running, catching, and hitting. One is usually gifted a baseball glove at age 5. This is normally when youngsters are introduced to the game.
Organized leagues can be found in every town and teams are formed at the high school and collegiate levels. And for those very few who are skilled and talented enough, there is the professional level that attracts a whole bunch of ex-wannabes. The “pros” are extremely talented and are offered an absorbent amount of money to showcase their talents in front of the paying public.
I remember watching a professional ball game a few years back when the announcer stopped me in my tracks. A ground ball was hit to the second baseman who normally would scoop it up and deliver the ball to the first baseman for an easy out. Such was not the case. The highly paid second baseman did, in fact, field the ball cleanly before he launched the ball high over the first baseman’s grasp a mere 25 feet away. That is when the announcer shared with his audience that this particular professional baseball player had lost confidence in his ability to throw a baseball.
I remember asking myself at the time, “How can a professional lose confidence in something he has successfully mastered for the past 20 years? That was the moment I realized that confidence is both necessary and elusive. And I am afraid the same holds true with you in your particular field.
You can perform your responsibilities perfectly while feeling you are bringing your “A-Game” until that one client shakes your confidence, and you begin doubting your abilities or career choice. Then things continue to slide in the wrong direction as your negative self-talk demands center stage. Soon, it seems you can’t do anything right.
Ladies and gentlemen, it can happen at the professional level, and it can happen to you if you let it. The truth is that you will make a few errors along the way. You just can’t allow them to play mind games with your ability to ply your trade. When the ball is hit your way, pick it up and throw it to first.
Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club, mike@mikemarchev.com.
*** You want more to think about? Check out my weekly podcast (Miked Up Marchev). Also listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and iHeartRadio.
