Have you ever been in a rut?  Life feels like the movie Groundhog Day – you just do the same thing over and over.  It’s ok.  I know, I’ve been there.
Living a life without excitement is not the goal for anyone.  However, many people chase new things simply because they are bored.  Exercise routines, careers, hobbies….even marriage, are often abandoned because they have lost the zest.

I challenge you to think about the critical things in your life.  Have they become boring?  How can you make those things feel new again?  How can you do it? Today, I introduce to you  “The Born to Run Theory.”

Since 1975, Bruce Springsteen has played his hit “Born to Run” almost every single night.  Michael Lombardi, in his new release, Gridiron Genius (click here for the book), emphasizes how, night after night after night, he plays with real enthusiasm and passion.  After all those years, and all those performances, it would be understandable if “The Boss” got bored playing his hit.  However, whether you saw him play the hit in 1976 or 2016, the performance is always amazing.

Born to Run – 1976 

Born to Run – 2016

After reading Lombardi discuss Springsteen, I started thinking about how this applies to every profession and life in general.  Here are a few thoughts:

Focus on the Fundamentals:

We are in the information age.  Information is moving fast and furiously.  If we fail to adapt and learn we will get steamrolled.  It’s impossible to deny this.  However, it’s critical to focus on the fundamentals; the basics of your business.  For example, data analytics has impacted the game of baseball in a profound way.  The use of technology and data is incredible and has enhanced the game.  With that being said, the game, at its core, still revolves around scoring runs on offense and limiting runs on defense.  When we break it down, it’s really who can just play a game of catch the best.  Making the routine play and taking care of the baseball will always be paramount.

To continue “The Boss” analogy, over the years, he kept creating and making new and better music.  With repetitions in writing and playing, I’m sure his new songs were better in many ways. It would have been easy for him to leave the old songs behind.  He knew his basics – the crowds came to hear “Born to Run” and he delivered. Like great coaches and leaders, he kept improvising but he always knew his bread and butter.

 The Best Don’t Get Bored:

Our youth camps are very important to me.  We work hard at teaching the basics of the game.  It never fails, I’ll have a parent ask every year, “are the drills going to be challenging for my son.  He’s advanced for his age.  I don’t want him to get bored.”  I have to keep a straight face when I hear this.  The best don’t get bored; it’s the mundane work that makes the elite the elite.  Watch Steph Curry work on his footwork, Clayton Kershaw do his dry routine, or a big-league infielder work on his patterns and tell me again how this may be too easy for your son.

I’ve noticed recently a trend in creating drills that are “fun and different.”  Trust me, I’m all for innovating and switching it up, but it’s important to remember that being great takes what it takes.  You can’t trick the game or life.  Mastering the basics, not just being proficient, should always be the objective.

Enthusiasm Matters:

The Boss is now 69 years young now.  His energy, effort and enthusiasm on stage is legendary.  I’m sure there are nights when he’s off, when he just doesn’t have it.  What’s amazing to me is the crowd would never know it.  The older I become I realize that a leader can’t afford to have bad days or be in a bad mood.  People are counting on them.  So, what do they need to do?  Figure out a way to get themselves going.   Can you imagine if Bruce or another elite performer decided to let their poor mood effect their performance?  They’d have some incredibly disappointed fans.  The leader’s job is to charge on despite their feelings.

Conclusion:

What an awesome time to be alive.  The ability to learn new and exciting things is more accessible than ever.  Keeping up and innovating are vitally important.  In addition, I believe the elite leader of today has the uncanny ability to understand the magnitude of mastering the fundamentals as well.  As information flows faster, many people and organizations are looking for the quick fix.  They are looking for the piece of technology that will instantly make them better.  History is powerful.  Sustained excellence takes mastering the fundamentals, fighting off boredom, and attacking a task with great enthusiasm.

If we are not careful, we can lose track of the fundamentals; of what it takes to live a happy, meaningful life.  To be honest, work can get boring, friendships can become stagnate, and we can take our loved ones (oftentimes our spouse) for granted. This only happens if we allow it.

This week, make the old new again.  Take your spouse or significant other on a date and treat it like it’s your first meeting.  Examine your business with fresh eyes.  Treat your job like it’s your first day as an intern.  Greet your child like you did when you welcomed her into the world.

Thanks to The Boss for providing us a leadership lesson on doing the basics extraordinarily well!

Make it a great week,

Mike

Questions to Consider:

• What are the basics of your business?

• Are you attacking the fundamentals with energy and enthusiasm?

• What areas of your life can you re-engage and create a spark?