Tennis...A Lesson in Life

I play tennis about four times a week. One of the guys I play with, always starts the day by tossing the ball to make his serve and announcing, “Enjoy, gentlemen!” I usually reply with, “Thanks Jon. I’m rooting for you to come in second.” (Unless, of course, Jon is my doubles partner.) Our tennis pro once pointed out that, “Someone is happy with every shot.”

I hear these things said quite regularly and lately it has occurred to me that these concepts and philosophies are as true in life, just as they are in tennis. Take for example, “Enjoy, gentlemen!” Isn’t this something we all strive for, every day, in all we do? When we’re at play, the very concept of play is all about enjoyment and yet most of our play, tennis, basketball, Monopoly, card games and Pin the Tail on the Donkey, is all competitive. We play, because we enjoy the structure of the game and the competitive nature of the challenge and we want to win. In wanting to win we naturally are hoping that everyone else come in second.

On the tennis courts, if I hit a winning shot, I’m real happy about that! On the other hand, if I happen to hit an unforced error (or even a forced error) my opponent is very happy. Someone is happy with every shot. How true this is in every game or sport and how true in business as well.

Get the order…Happy! Lose the order to your competition and your competition is happy. You start the day with that “Enjoy, gentlemen!” attitude and have your ups and downs throughout the day based on how good your “shots” are and how often the competition misses.

In tennis, when I miss a shot, I’m eager to get the ball back in play so I can redeem myself…hit a winner. I take a few seconds to consider just what I did wrong and what I need to do to win the next point. I’ll consider my opponents strengths and weaker areas. Like a laser, I am focused on that ball and will do whatever it takes, often even taking major risks, to avoid his strengths and hit my best shot to his weak side or better still, “hit it where he ain’t”.

Do we do that in life? After a bad day with a friend, loved one or family member, do we blame them or consider what we did wrong? Do we focus on making things right, right away, or do we hold a grudge? Buddy Hackett once said, “I never hold a grudge, because while I’m busy holding a grudge, the other guy is out dancing.” Buddy Hackett was not only hysterically funny; he was rather wise as well. Thanks for that one Buddy.

In business, when we lose the sale, do we rethink our strategies or consider what the competition did that won him or her that order? How often do we (often secretly) accuse the prospect or customer of being a jerk for not seeing the benefits of going with us? Do we brush ourselves off and jump right back in or do we take some time to feel miserable and blame everyone else? Do we consider our mistakes, learn from them, take some major risks and come back to make our best shot? Tom Peters taught me that mistakes and failures are OK, if and when we learn from those failures. In fact, he says that, companies need to fail faster. He points out that failure is what breeds success.

So, “Enjoy, gentlemen and ladies” and remember, “Someone is happy with every shot.” Take a risk, make your shots, be happy and enjoy the challenge.
Barry Roberts is a motivational humorist helping business become more profitable by reducing stress and developing innovative strategies. His keynotes and workshop seminars earn the highest industry ratings. Barry’s book “Practice Safe Stress” is rather successful and is available internationally online. Visit www.BarryRoberts.com for more on Barry, his presentations, availability and contact information