I just watched (I should have gone to the Wanderers since I am in Joburg this week!) the extraordinary innings of AB de Villiers during the ODI cricket match with the West Indies. 149 runs off 44 deliveries. The fastest ever century in ODIs – just 31 deliveries! And the fastest half-century off just 16 balls. And the Proteas scored their highest ever ODI total of 439 (do you still remember the magnificent 438 game against Australia?).
Even if you are not a cricket lover, this performance would have grabbed your attention!
It was obvious that AB enjoyed every moment out in the middle. He wasn’t afraid to improvise, and his creativity bore the stamp of authority.
A performance like this does not just “happen”. It is the result of many years of developing and fine-tuning his talent and skills.
It’s the same with your and my performance and our productivity “game”. It does not “just happen”.
We have the talent – but do we practice the required skills to enjoy a highly productive life? Something simple like taking a few minutes at the beginning of the workday to look ahead and plan the most productive day given the potential distractions and obstacles.
Something AB said in the post-match presentation caught my attention (not verbatim): “I worked myself up … walking up and down in the change room… and played my knock before I even came out to bat.”
You and I can do the same every day before we “come out to bat”.
Look at what’s in the calendar for the day. Review the actions for the day. Anticipate the curve balls coming your way.
Then get out in the middle and play.
And win the productivity game.
Perspective: “To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It’s not about winning and losing; it’s about every day hard work and about thriving on a challenge. It’s about embracing the pain that you’ll experience at the end of a race and not being afraid. I think people think too hard and get afraid of a certain challenge.” – Summer Sanders
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