(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

There is a phrase used in many sports about ‘seeing the ball.’ A good player will see the ball all the way into their hands, or into their glove, or to their bat. They don’t take their eyes off of it. That means they don’t get distracted by what they are going to do next – run with it, throw it, or hit it. It’s about being in the present where the ball is, not the future.

That’s a good player.

An elite player will not only see the ball, they will see the stitches on the ball! Yes, part of that ability is based on their visual acuity. Some people simply can see better than others. But there is more to it than good eyes. It’s focus. It’s intention. It’s clarity of purpose.

And you know what I’m talking about. You’ve done this too. You’ve had times when what you were doing was so engaging time slowed down, you had the space to respond not merely react. You ‘saw the stitches’ in what you were doing.

Highly successful people, in business, in relationships, in life, have developed the skill of seeing the stitches on the ball. They enjoy uncommon results.

 

Coaching Point: What keeps you from being at that level of your game all the time?

 

Copyright 2012 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.