Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.
– Baltasar Gracián y Morales
It’s funny how when you tune into something it starts showing up everywhere, like when you buy a new car, suddenly everyone seems to have one. Ten days into my pursuit of productive habits, I am off to a good start with only one slip up. Woo hoo!
I’ve been reading a lot about habits in general and about what professionals do to stay on track, get their work done. I’m really beginning to understand how these ‘routines’ really play out in accomplishing goals and making things happen.
Apparently, this is making me think differently. As any NY fan could tell you, 2013 was a rough year for our teams and my beloved NY Rangers hockey team did not escape. Their goaltender (and my favorite player!) Henrik Lundqvist, was in a rut and it just seemed to keep going. I’ve seen him get pissed when he misses a goal but this was different. At one point, 10 goals got past him in three games and most of the time, the opposing team is lucky to get just one. His disappointment was visible. When a goal got through, he sagged and dropped his arms to his sides. My heart went out to him. If it was that visible on the outside, what must be going on on the inside?
I’m watching this particular game and had a sudden awareness of all the eyes that were on him. He couldn’t hide this rut even if he wanted to. While I’m sure having done this for years he’s learned to just tune it out and play, I’m completely over-whelmed thinking about this. How does he keep going? What does he do to keep going? For the how, I’m sure it’s a love of what he does, his want to do it and be better but that will only get you so far. The what had me curious. Does he have habits in place that help him get through this and if so, what are they? (I also chuckled at myself because I’m sure these are very normal thoughts to have while your favorite team is losing – not ‘pass the puck better!’ or ‘get out of your zone!’ but ‘what’s your day like?’) I did a precursory search while writing this and turned up some quotes that show there are indeed habits at work in the background.
“It’s about getting good habits. If you do the same things every day and do it better each day working on habits.” – SNY Rangers, 12/3/2013
“You don’t try to change to much and you repeat what you have been doing for the last 8-9 years. We always do the same things going into a practice and getting into good habits. When you go through a stretch where you aren’t playing 100% you just need to work harder.” – SNY Rangers, 12/14/2013
I would like to know more specifically what those habits are but I guess this will do for now! I did actually send an email via his blog requesting more specifics so we’ll see what comes of that.
I suppose the important thing is that he does get back up and keep playing. That he puts on his practice jersey and keeps working. Coupled with the drive to do what you love and be the best, it is just doing the work every day that continues to improve your skills, which gives you confidence, which creates a mindset that even if you get into a rut, you keep pushing forward to get to the next upswing.
Are there any habits you know have gotten you through a rut or you know have made a big difference in what you’ve accomplished?