Let’s Play Ball in the New Work World!
The World Series is upon us, and my hometown team is vying for the championship!
Baseball has been an important tradition for my family. I have fond memories of season ticket seats right behind home plate at Minute Maid Park and of sharing good times with my family as we cheered on our team. Both my sons played baseball at the little league level and beyond, and they took so much of what they learned from the sport into the world, using the lessons to their great advantage.
So many metaphors and universal life lessons can be gleaned from baseball, one of the many reasons the game is interesting, exciting, and even magical. Faced with the recent challenges and changes in the employment field, you can use many of these lessons to expand your mindset and hit the ball out of the park as you step up to the plate of your own career.
1. Be accountable.
It’s refreshing to hear about players taking responsibility for what might have happened on the field. Mistakes happen both on the field and in life, and making excuses won’t advance any situation. Those job seekers who are willing to take responsibility for what might have gone wrong in the past and take steps to improve and learn from those mistakes will expand, grow, and move on in their careers. One of the biggest complaints I hear from companies refers to job candidates who talk about how a supervisor, a coworker, or even a family member held them back. Instead of focusing on what might have hindered you, consider what you have learned from such situations and how you have grown because of it.
2. Have a WE attitude, not a ME attitude.
It’s impressive to watch baseball players encourage their teammates, especially after an error, a bad pitch, or a strikeout. It’s not uncommon for one player to make a sacrifice play so one of their teammates can advance a base or score a run. Now more than ever, the New Work World needs that mindset of team consideration. While searching for a job can seem like lonely work, the positions you seek will often be part of a team environment. Demonstrating an attitude of service and assistance can help you establish the valuable contribution you can make to such an environment.
3. Be resilient.
No matter how bad their final score might have been in the previous game, most teams seem to enter each game with an attitude of determination and pride. Such attitudes are critical right now in the New Work World. Even if you were part of a reduction in workforce, were passed over for a promotion, or continue to receive rejection letters no matter how many interviews you obtain, you need to keep your attitude resilient and strong. Always maintain your poise. Prepare and focus on the next event. It serves no one to live your life looking in the rearview mirror. Instead, focus on your next activity with determination, excitement, and pride.
4. Never give up.
A baseball game does not end until the third out of the final inning. No matter what the scoreboard says throughout a game, as long as a team hasn’t given up, they are not defeated until the game is over. The same can be true within the New Work World. Your attitude determines your altitude. If your industry is in decline or your resume demonstrates a skillset not currently in demand, do not give up. Instead, work with a mentor or career consultant so you can honestly present your background in a way that better attracts new work. Reflecting transferable skills, online classes you’ve taken, and business associations you’re part of might just be what you need to pull into the lead and impress potential employers in new industries.
5. Focus on mindset, not outcomes.
No baseball team has ever made it through an entire season undefeated. Some have better win-loss ratios than others, but every team eventually loses. Because of this, strong teams focus on mindset, not outcomes, allowing them to win again after a loss. In the New Work World, your mental attitude can lay the foundation for your future success. Your effort, commitment, and approach to the game are yours to control. Play enthusiastically, and don’t let negative situations prevent you from turning them to your advantage. These days, a positive mindset might even be considered more important for filling a role than directly related experience.
A baseball team continues to persevere throughout each game, playing their best no matter what the scoreboard or their season record might say. As a participant in the New Work World, you, too, must set out to do your best within your circumstances, putting every tool in your kit to use. A winning attitude will take you far in the New Work World. With resilience, determination, and a positive mentality, you can push forward and win your own career championship.
Mary Ann Faremouth has been a regular contributor to the USA Daily Post since April of 2020.
