Forget the Home Run–Just Get On Base

I love to swing for the fence.  I want that home run.

But guess what?

Getting on base is what’s important, not hitting home runs.  

Hitting a home run is exciting, exhilirating . . . that special feeling when you make perfect contact with the ball, right in the “sweet spot”of the bat, and you know as soon as you finish your swing that “it’s outta here”.

As a batter, best feeling ever.  

But your batting average better be filled with things other than home runs, because those homers don’t happen every game.

More important than the occasional home run–getting on base.  A base hit.  A double.  A triple.  Even a walk.  

Just get on base.

Who would you rather have on your team:

Choice #1-the guy who only manages to hit those “unceremonious singles”, but does it often, though he never hits a home run all season.

Choice #2-the guy who only hits those exciting home runs, but does so only once in awhile.  The other times he’s usually striking out.

I pick Choice #1 all day long–every time he gets on base is a chance for him to score a run for the team.  And that’s the whole point of the game!

Of course, someone may say, “You’re leaving out Choice #3–the player who’s hitting home runs all the time!”.  Ok, sure, I’ll take that player.  As long as he can also get on base some other ways, too.  Never put all your “eggs” in the home run “basket”.

In your own pursuits in business, in self-improvement, in bettering your relationships, in parenting, in getting your school grades up, etc., don’t get stuck on “hitting home runs”.

If you’re fortunate, you’ll have those peak experiences where everything comes together, you’re in the “flow”, and it all clicks.  

However, more often than not, in any area of pursuit, it’s hitting those “unceremonious singles” and getting on base that makes the difference in the end.

No, the fans don’t stand and go crazy for base hits.  Fireworks don’t go off in the bleachers, as they do in some stadiums for home runs.  

Flash and dazzle vs. slow burn.

Shoot for the slow burn.  Be diligent.  Be consistent.  Persevere.  Put in the work one more day, even though you haven’t seen any “big results” yet.

Just get on base.

And if you strike out?  Good!  At least you’re up there taking some swings!  So shake it off, move on, and get back up to bat again next time around so you can take another crack at it.

Keep swinging.  And not always “for the fence”!  Keep your eye on the ball, have a nice and easy swing, and make good contact with the ball.

The “magic” will happen when you’re approaching things this way.  Those singles will accumulate into some runs, and those runs will lead to some wins.

Batter UP!

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