Teambuilding: Free Life Lessons from Baseball

Do you ever feel that no matter what you do for your business, you just can’t seem to achieve the level of success you desire? Have you wondered why it seems that success comes easy to some while you seem to be stuck in a rut? You can visualize and make all the positive affirmations you want, (In my case, centerfield for the NY Yankees has already been taken), but the truth of the matter is that if you don’t take action and apply the following lessons, success will be that much harder to come by.

The fact is that in many cases, people know what they want. They may have a clear cut goal, but they just have a hard time getting started. Others may think that attaining their goal will require an extraordinary effort. Some just give up too easy.

I was watching a movie the other day, and there was a line in it which said, “Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.” After giving some thought to it, I realized that there are some very valuable lessons to be learned from the game of baseball. These are lessons that can be applied to our business as well as our personal success. The following are 3 lessons on business success we learn from baseball.

Lesson #1: Take Actio

In the game of Major League Baseball, if you don’t swing at the ball, you can’t get a hit. In business and in life, if you don’t dare to take a chance and ask for that promotion, launch your own business, go back to school, pursue that which you’ve always wanted, you’ll be stuck in the same place!
Business success is achieved by those who no matter what the circumstances around them will take the initiative and take action. Fear will be a factor on many occasions, however, only those who dare to act will achieve success.

Lesson #2: A Small Effort Goes a Long Way
In the game of Major League Baseball, an average ballplayer will hit about .250 for the entire season, thus earning an average salary. He’ll get one hit every four times at bat, and as the number of at bats increase, will get five hits in twenty at bats. On the other hand, an extraordinary ballplayer will get one hit every three at bats for a .333 average. In those same twenty at bats, he gets 6 hits instead of five. That one hit will determine which players get to actually play the game and which players get to watch from the sidelines and ride the bench. Just one hit makes all the difference between earning an average salary and landing multimillion dollar contracts and endorsement deals. If done for an extended period of time, that player who hit .333 instead of .250 will end up in the Hall of Fame and earn a place among baseball’s immortals.

Business success is achieved by those who strive to improve constantly, even by the smallest margin. A small effort can turn ordinary results into extraordinary ones.

Lesson #3: Never Give UpnDuring the 1920’s, George Herman “Babe” Ruth’s larger than life personality was responsible for single-handedly establishing baseball as America’s pastime. Not only was he a character, but he was a great hitter (and pitcher before making the switch!) and on several occasions, he led the league in home runs. However, who do you think was also one of the league leaders in striking out? That’s right, Ruth.

Nonetheless, even after striking out, Babe Ruth knew that the next time up at bat, he was capable of hitting a homerun. He was so confident in his ability that legend has it he once “called” one of his shots by pointing towards the right field bleachers signaling to where the ball was supposed to land after he hit it. Even after a temporary setback, he would remain focused on his goal of hitting homeruns.

Business success will come to those who realize that failing often will only move you closer to success. You will suffer setbacks, however remain focused on your goals and never give up.
The game of baseball has entertained the American public for generations. It’s well known for its tradition and history. For years it has brought families and friends together, who leave all worries and preoccupations behind as they submerge themselves in their “field of dreams”. However, if examined closely, we can also enjoy a few lessons in success.