By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, December 2, 2014
I want to share a story from an experience my son learned through basketball. It’s a life lesson for all of us.
Dylan is a 10th-grader playing basketball for his high school team. A few weeks ago, his team was down by two points with time running out. He found the ball in his hands, behind the three-point line, with 5 seconds left on the clock.
Dylan glanced at the basket and chose to pass to his teammate. His teammate shot the ball and missed the bucket. My son’s team lost the game. No big deal, this is part of the experience in playing sports.
Afterward, we had an opportunity to discuss the game. I asked Dylan if his teammate had lost the game for missing the shot. Dylan’s reply, “No sir, not at all.” I then asked if his teammate made the shot, would he have won the game? Dylan’s reply “Absolutely.” I looked at Dylan and told him, “Take the shot”.
One shot doesn’t lose a game, but one shot can win a game.
That’s a lesson in life for all of us. We are all afraid to expose our weaknesses. Are there certain aspects of your life you want to change?
Are you a salesman and want to ask a client for their business? Take the shot. Is there a friend or family member where there is a conflict and a need to rekindle the relationship? Take the shot. Do you need to change your diet and start exercising? Take the shot.
Whatever you are dealing with in your lives — take the shot.
If you never take the shot, then nothing changes and life stays the same. If you take the shot, then it could be a life changer. Even if you miss the shot, you’ve accomplished so much more. You now have the experience and confidence to take another shot.
Wayne Gretsky, famous hockey player, once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
So, as in basketball and in life, don’t hesitate. Take the shot and fulfill your dreams