My issue is not about taking chances, it’s how we rationalize the results of the chances we take. Especially when I know luck is defined as, “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions.” This is why I agree with British author Joe Abercrombie who said,
“There was no such thing as luck. Luck was a word idiots used to explain the consequences of their own rashness, and selfishness, and stupidity.”
Not calling anyone an idiot, but I do agree and believe Luck is not real. Not even in baseball.
We just use the word luck so we doe not have to take ownership of our performance, Good or Bad. In each case we avoid demanding improvement when it comes to dealing with our athletic ability. It is much simpler to define our successes and our failures in a form of Luck, versus spending time Understanding why we succeeded or why we failed. Either way we prevent improvement by:
- Failing to mentally recognize when we have done something right or
- Failing to identify what we need to improve on
Instead we waste time defining why certain results occur, as Katie Whittle stated in her article “When Good Things Happen to Other People: How to Be Luckier,” She stated;
“When favorable events repeatedly occur against the odds, we attribute it to good luck;
[Likewise], when things take a turn for the worst and misfortune seems to strike us when we are least able to handle it, we curse our bad luck.”
Focus on what it takes to be a good baseball player and quit wasting your time trying to define your day-to-day results, Good or Bad. Certainly don’t define the effects of your At-Bats, Fielding, or Pitching as Luck. Use the results as knowledge and an opportunity to improve!
When you have a hiccup, recognize what you are doing wrong, identify what you need to do to correct it, and then CHANGE. One thing is certain, “If you change nothing, nothing will change.”
When you do something right, reinforce success. Tell yourself, “That’s what I am looking to do,” then demand it in the future.
After all, luck is nothing more than being ready when the opportunity presents itself.
Contact Most Valuable Player if you Need Help with any aspect of your game.
Until next blog remember success breeds success,
Al McCormick
