Making the Jump

I arrived to the Coca Cola facility at 5:45am.  It was a warm, July morning in the summer of 2001.  I was in my first few weeks as a sales representative for Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE).  Every Tuesday morning, we had a sales force meeting at 6am; I arrived 15 minutes early ready to take my seat and learn the strategies for success in the industry.  On this particular Tuesday morning something was different.  As I went to enter the building I was told to stay outside.  As the sun began to rise you could see a large object covered with blanket at the far end of the parking lot.  At precisely 6am the head of sales walked outside blasting George Thorogood’s, “Bad to the Bone.”  The crowd of salesman began to roar as the blanket was removed and in front of us stood and old Pepsi machine.  With “Bad to Bone” playing and the sales staff roaring a sledge hammer was handed to the sales manager.  For the next 10 minutes the sledge hammer was passed around to the sales force mob.  As for me, I was hiding in the back hoping not to be seen.  The sales manager knew that I had played college baseball.  From the front of the action he beckoned, “Deevers!  Where is Deevers?”  I sheepishly pointed to myself as if to say, “Do you mean me, Mike Deegan?” “You, Deevers, you played college ball; get up here and hit this thing!”  The crowd roared, “Deevers, Deevers, Deevers” as I began wailing on the Pepsi machine.

My First Attempt at Jumping
That was a huge moment for me.  I knew right there that I couldn’t work for Coke for long.  I was young, I had no idea what I wanted to do or what I was qualified to do.  All I knew was that my heart wasn’t in this profession.  That winter I applied to Duquesne University in their Masters of Counseling program.  I decided I wanted to advise and coach at the high school level.  I wanted to help students increase their options when looking for college opportunities.  In addition, I wanted to coach.  My plan was to coach football, basketball and baseball.

This isn’t one of those “I walked to school five miles, uphill both ways” stories; this really was a challenging time.  Coke required you to work from 6am-4:30 Monday-Friday. The Duquesne program was from 9-5 on Saturday’s.  Most of the people in my cohort were either full-time students or only worked part-time.  The majority of time I arrived to class underprepared.  I felt like I was doing a poor job at work and in the classroom.  Nonetheless, I was progressing toward my goals.  I was one semester and an internship from having my Masters when I got the call….

The Big Jump
Don Schaly, had recently retired after 40 years as the head baseball coach at Marietta College.  I was fortunate to have played for coach from 1998-2001.  When Coach Schaly retired his top assistant, Brian Brewer was named the new head coach.  Coach Brewer called and said that over 100 people had applied for the assistant coach position but he really wanted me to apply.  I was flattered; however, I was torn.  After a year and a half of working and going to school, there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel.  Taking the Marietta Assistant job would mean the hard work would virtually be all for not.  Also, monetarily the move made little sense.  I would be taking a significant pay cut and I was saddled with large loans from Duquesne.  I was living in the Pittsburgh area where I was born and raised.  Abandoning my Master’s pursuit, taking a big pay cut, and moving to a new area made very little sense to most people.  Despite the naysayers, I made the jump and accepted the position as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Marietta College.

The Number one deterrent of “jumping:” FEAR 
What it is the number one thing that stops people from “making the jump?” Fear. Fear of the unknown.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of looking stupid.  When we are in this state of fear we often try to rationalize it: “I can’t do that.  It is just not smart.” “Even though I hate my job, I make a good living.”  The list and reasons go on and on.  However, if we get right down to it, fear is prohibiting from pursuing our passion.  Days and months and years pass by before we notice that we are miserable.  Eventually our spirit breaks and we are merely existing.  We all know people like this.  They aren’t “bad” people; they are just chronically unhappy.

Action Step:
Do you need to jump right now? What aspect of your life is begging for a change?  This week, make a jump.  I’m not suggesting that you quit your job immediately; however, I am suggesting that you take a risk this week.  Everyone has something tugging at their heart.  Why not go for it this week! Put yourself out there.  There will be critics; who cares?  Most of the people who criticize are just jealous that they lack the courage to jump.

The Result of My Jump:
On Friday at 8:28pm Lowrie and I welcomed our fourth child, Rooney Meyer, into the world.    Making the jump in 2003 has led me to so many amazing things. I coach, teach and mentor for a living.  I’ve been a part of championship teams and have met so many incredible people along the way.  Most importantly, the jump led me to Lowrie and she and I have created a wonderful life together.  Please don’t get me wrong.  There are days I struggle.  The journey has not been free of obstacles.  However, I can honestly say I am living the dream.

Keep on Jumping:
Since my jump in 2003 there have been many “smaller jumps” along the way.  For example, in 2011 we took the job at Denison University which meant moving our entire family.  More recently, I took the jump of writing this newsletter.  I’m a baseball coach.  You better believe there have been critics along the way.  Most people wait to write after they have “made it.”  I have chosen to make myself vulnerable.  Honestly, I hear the critics but the relationships from sharing my thoughts have been truly amazing.  Finally, I plan on taking another jump in the upcoming weeks.  I have a website that will launch featuring ideas on teamwork, culture building and leadership.  I’m feeling pulled to expand my message and the vision is to connect with schools, communities and businesses.  Please stay posted.

We are in this together.  If you are struggling to “jump” don’t feel like you are a coward.  Most people feel the same struggle.  Our challenge is to fight average and refuse to settle.  There’s greatness in all of us.  We just have to find the courage to jump.