Offense vs. Defense

If you are a human, chances are you have had a chance to witness a game between two teams at some point in your life. Perhaps, your kids are in team sports.

Maybe you are.

I’m going to use hockey in our post today, because that is what I know. In my heart, in my bones, I know hockey. I know what is needed to be a great player, and even more importantly, a great team member. I have coached hockey players. Raised a hockey player. Worked with hockey players.

I know the mentality and respect it.

And, I’m willing to go out on a limb when I say that most of what applies with hockey can transfer over to other sports… at least the big picture ideas I’m talking about today.

The offense vs. defense theory.

In one of Blake’s first years of hockey, he was on a team that lost almost every game. I think they won 2 out of 50+ games. It wasn’t pretty, and most of us chalked it up to a character building year. What else can you do in that situation?

About halfway through the season, I began to pinpoint where the wheels fell off, and the idea of what happened with that team never left me. The biggest problem (in my humble opinion) was the fact that our goaltending wasn’t the strongest. Look, I know, they’re kids, and yes I believe everyone was doing their best. I’m certainly not goalie bashing. Stick with me here.

If you’re on a team with a weaker goalie, then what happens is the rest of the team begins to play defense. You lose your offense—and with it, your main ability to score—and everyone is playing solely to not get scored on. If you’re playing like this, it’s hard to see, because you’re so busy defending your zone.

You guys, this is life.

You are either living defensively—protecting what’s yours—or you are living offensively and seeking creative ways to solve your problems. Curious and open to trying new things. Let’s pretend we all have a goalie in our lives who’s let a few soft goals in. It happens.

You gained a few pounds.

You stopped taking care of yourself.

You’re in a rut of work, eat, sleep, repeat.

You begin to notice that you complain about E V E R Y T H I N G. Everything.

Everyday, you set out and try your hardest not to screw anything up. Keep things the way they are… don’t rock the boat. And for God’s sake, don’t step outside your comfort zone.

This is living defensively, and I hate to blame an entire year, but 2020 has given many of us this defensive perspective. The why bother attitude with a side of what difference does it make?

I’m here to tell you that your mental state does make a difference. Waking up and saying why not instead of why bother is a day-maker. Replacing the phrase have to with get to is another trick for your mind.

I have to go to work today.

I get to go to work today.

See the difference? The second choice feels almost grateful for the ability to have a job at all.

Is this year everything we thought it would be? Definitely not, but that doesn’t mean we can’t turn it around ourselves. We can, and it’s your responsibility to make those changes. No one else is going to do it for you. Take ownership of your life—be your own coach—and see where you need to make changes to live life playing offense. The only thing we ever have control over is our own perspective and how we choose to see the world around us.

Choose wisely, my friends.

Go team!

Until next time, read something fabulous…

xo, Mo