With much anticipation I look forward to the start of the football season every year. Although I no longer live in Pittsburgh as the saying goes: once a Pittsburgher, always a Pittsburgher. Which means not only am I a Pittsburgher but a member of Steeler Nation. You’ll find people all over the United States and even the world who are loyal Pittsburgh Steelers football fans. In fact, the Steelers have one of the largest fan bases in the NFL “ and definitely one of the most loyal. I’ve observed in my travels that when you wear a Steelers cap or t-shirt people will walk by you, smile, nod and exclaim, “Go Steelers!”, in acknowledgment.
When it comes to Steeler football, it’s not just a matter of winning or losing. For many it’s a big part of daily life. There is a saying in sports that the winner of the contest is decided before the game even starts. All you have to do is look in the players’ eyes and you will know who is going to win and who is going to lose. It’s not always which team has the most talent or highest payroll but which team has the will to win. It takes will, drive, and determination along with detailed game strategy to win on any given Sunday.
On Sunday, the Steelers could have saved themselves a lot of time and the fans a lot of anguish just by not showing up for the game. But that I mean, physically show up for the game. Because the Steelers really didn’t show up for the game from a mindset and motivational point-of-view. The team just wasn’t prepared and ready to win mentally.
If you could talk with any one in Pittsburgh this week they would emotionally and vividly describe their feelings about the Steelers vs. Ravens game which was nationally broadcast on Sunday. The good news is that it’s early in the season. The Steelers have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and to reset their mindset to win just as we have the opportunity in business every day.
It’s about having the will, drive and determination to win no matter how difficult or challenging the situation is.
The question is:
– Do you have the will to win in your business?
– Are you prepared for whatever comes your way?
– Do all areas of your business work cohesively together?
– Are you leading your employees to success?
– Are you proactive or reactive with your competitors?
– Or are you showing up every single day with a losing, unprepared attitude and no real game plan for your business?
Any business person knows how challenging and difficult it’s been the last few years. And right now, the signs point to more of the same in the next several years with the economy. Still business people find opportunity, success and profit in these challenging times. And so can you.
The Steelers will win again. And maybe even have a run at the Super Bowl this season.
You can win too by making sure your company is never on the losing end of this game called business.
I invite you to share your winning business strategies. How do you achieve the mindset to win every day in your business?