I used to be hell on wheels, back when I was a younger man. –Toby Keith
I recently received the greatest gift of the holiday season. A friend sent me a link to the film of every football game from my senior year in high school at Georgetown Prep. The film has provided a beautiful distraction from the year-end stress and a welcome reminder of the success we enjoyed as a team so many years ago. Talk about Glory Days!
For the last thirty-five (or so!) years, the images of that season have largely remained in my head. I remembered the scores and a few select plays from each game, but the details have blurred through the prism of time. So, without a roadmap to guide my adventure, I fast-forwarded the film to the individual plays I had recalled making in a few big games. And it was nothing like I had remembered.
On one play, I had an interception that I returned for a big gain. But as I watched the film, I noticed I was woefully out of position. Our big defensive tackle hit the quarterback just before he released the ball, and it floated like a duck into my waiting arms. On another play in a different game, I had a big sack at a key time to help seal a victory. But as I watched the film, I noticed I was blocked and completely immobilized and out of my lane. Fortunately, our defensive end turned the quarterback right into my path, allowing me to make the play. The memories in my mind were not the same as the reality on the field. And, as they say, the film don’t lie.
It was a remarkable revelation. I only remembered the end result of these plays, failing to recognize they would not have been possible without my teammates. And that is a good reminder for all of us as we strive to advance our careers and live our best lives.
Celebrate the People Who Got Us There
It’s not always about us. A quarterback needs his line to block effectively before he can hoist that MVP trophy. An entrepreneur needs dedicated employees to help implement his or her vision in order to build a dream. A salesperson needs smart engineers and talented back office folks to help bring in the big transaction. A lawyer needs a hard-working team of paralegals to help win that landmark case. Parents need the help and advice of grandparents or other extended family members to help keep their own family on the right track. Friends need the guidance of other friends to ensure the support system remains in place.
We all remember the celebrations. We all remember the success. But how often do we cherish and appreciate the support group that allowed those accomplishments to happen?
How Many People Have We Helped?
And so I re-watched the game film with a fresh perspective. Yes, I was the beneficiary of much good fortune because of my teammates. That was a striking theme throughout, and truly humbling. But as I settled in with a bourbon to watch the entire season, I also noticed many plays where I set my teammates up for success. I created memories and highlights for them. I couldn’t recall a single one of those plays prior to watching the film. It gave me a huge sense of pride, and, that perhaps, is another key takeaway.
Maybe we should celebrate the plays when we facilitate success. Maybe life is more about helping others reach their goals for the collective good of the team. Maybe acting as a reliable mentor has more impact on this world than receiving the praise of our peers. Maybe it’s all about how many people we raise to the podium rather than how many times we grab the microphone. It’s all about the team. Nobody gets to the top of the mountain alone.
Resilience is a Team Sport
That’s not to say that there is anything wrong with achieving personal success. Quite the opposite! We all work hard and we should celebrate our individual accomplishments. We’ve earned it. But those moments do not last forever. There will come a time when we stumble. When we miss a tackle. When we feel all alone. When we need support more than oxygen. It is in these moments that we realize we can’t do it alone. We realize the incredible value of our teammates, friends and family. We realize that resilience is the ultimate team sport.
The 1986 Georgetown Prep Football Team was undefeated and nearly unscored upon. We enjoyed so many accolades and awards as a team. But there were no individual superstars. Together, each player made the one next him just a little bit better.
And isn’t that what life is all about?