Perseverance Pays Off in the New Work World
I believe the recent Kentucky Derby has valuable lessons for us to ponder in the New Work World! The horse, Mage, at incredible 15-1 odds, pulled ahead to win the 2023 race at Churchill Downs. By overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, this remarkable horse presents an important lesson for all of us. Even if the odds are against you, you can still defy them! It’s an example as old as time. Remember the Biblical story of David vs. Goliath? Many people these days feel a tremendous amount of stress and pressure in today’s rapidly-changing world, much like the intimidating presence of Goliath. When that happens, why not replicate the courage of David who was mighty because he had strong faith and went forth in a confident manner. With all the challenges and changes we are facing during this post-pandemic time and feeling the odds are against us, we can still defy them, as did David.
As a Recruiting Consultant for over thirty years, I hear many people tell me they are feeling deflated and discouraged lately. I understand that, so why not use that as fuel to set your motivation on fire? Just like our champion Mage, who stayed at the back of the pack conserving his energy, it wasn’t until the final stretch when he found an open pathway and made his move. Just because you started at the back of the pack, it doesn’t mean you will finish there. You don’t always need to be sprinting first out of the gate to achieve your goals. Maybe you need to play the patient game. Jockey Castello was rewarded for his patience with Mage. You can’t always win the race in the first quarter mile. Sometimes you need to be strategic.
So, let’s take a look at a few strategies we can implement in the New Work World to help us all win our own race to become our best self and achieve success.
Create a Mindset of Success
Each Kentucky Derby participant begins their journey for the big win with a mindset of Success: this is the belief that they can achieve whatever they set their mind to. Similarly, your
preparations for your job search or new hire must also begin with a mindset of success. With it, you can turn a “no” from a rejection letter or a turn-down candidate, into a “know”: this is the knowledge that there will be a better job or position or better candidate available in the future. Overcoming feelings of defeat and insecurity is crucial to landing the right job or finding that perfect position or new hire during these uncertain and changing times.
Preparation is the Key
“The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” (Bobby Knight, head coach, 1984 USA men’s national basketball team). If you read any Kentucky Derby winner’s story, you will often find that their daily preparation is extensive and goes above and beyond what others would ever consider doing. The same holds true for your job search or hiring practices, as preparation is crucial in the New Work World. I have recently interviewed candidates with light experience or transferrable skills who beat out candidates with directly related experience because they took the time to prepare for interviews. I am also hearing client company representatives tell me when they changed their traditional hiring practices and are now filling jobs more quickly and building teams with happy employees who put forth more effort because these employees are in alignment with their interests and passions.
Keep Your Dream Alive
Gustavo Delgado Jr., Mage’s trainer’s son, said the father was inspired by Canonero II. “He always told me, ‘One day we should go to the States and try and win one of those races,’” Delgado Jr. said. “Now we’re here.” (Courier Journal, May 7, 2023). If you are an applicant or hiring authority, don’t get discouraged and think your dream job or dream candidate is beyond your reach. Keep an open mind, believe you can make your dreams come true and keep being determined to find success.
Mage’s Kentucky Derby win is a wonderful example about how perseverance pays off. By creating a mindset of success, making sure the preparation steps are strongly utilized and keeping dreams alive, we can all become our own champions in the New Work World. Consider this: “The hard days are the best because that’s where champions are made.” (Gabby Douglas, USA women’s gymnastics gold medalist). Don’t let your challenges hold you back; you could be perched for a big win if you utilize these three steps!
