One Second, One Mistake and Years of Reminders to Follow

Keywords: bouncing back, football, last, learning, mistake, reminder, team, tournament, World Cup

Categories: Health, Lifestyle & Living, News, Current affairs & Documentary, Self-help, Personal development & Spirituality, Sport & Leisure

Published On: Jul 12, 2010

Last updated on:: Jul 12, 2010

Add to favourites

Every year for the past few years I meet up with some friends, some that I grew up with and have known all of my life, and play in a veterans 6-a-side football tournament. It is a family day out and a bit of fun for our team. Rarely have we ever threatened to win the tournament but we usually hold our own. This Saturday, in searing heat we entered feeling that we could do quite well. We lost a close run first game, 3-2, to the eventual winners of the tournament. During this game I covered plenty of ground, made plenty of challenges and even scored a penalty. The past 3 competitive penalties that I had taken were missed. That was over 10 years ago. When I stepped forward and put the ball in the net I exorcised a few skeletons and felt good about it. During the subsequent 3 games we lost 2 more and drew 2. we played well in all games and they were all close-run encounters. It was just not our day. Having finished bottom of our group we played the team at the bottom of the other group in a last place play-off. Since it was a golden goal rule, the first to score would condemn the other team to the dubious mantle of worst team in the tournament. Imagine my surprise when the man that I was marking managed to get goal side of me and put the ball into the net! This one second of unawareness led to an evening of remarks towards me that were less than supportive! It's fair to say that all other actions by me that day were instantly forgotten and I will be remembered for many years as the man who caused his team to finish last. Whilst most of the comments were nothing more than friendly banter it did make me think about those in the World Cup who make mistakes that cost their team. Let's take Arjen Robben who missed a clear cut chance to win Holland the World Cup. How will he be feeling today? Whilst my situation is nowhere close to that of Arjen Robben I know how it feels to know that I made a mistake that cost my team. It is how I respond that counts. I will respond by getting fitter and more focussed in both my football and my business. Some people bounce and others are haunted by the past. I choose to bounce. Walk Innovation is ready to grow and I play football again tomorrow night, where I'm sure to hear all about my moment on Saturday. Taking responsibility for ones actions and mistakes is the first step towards getting results. On Saturday I took my eye of my man and it cost my team. Today I am firmly focused on the task at hand - learning and growing in the process.

Report as abuse

Like it! (3)

External Links

Free Energy

Related Links

COMMENTS

David Einert wrote at 01:13:14 PM on Jul 14, 2010

Adam,
as you say "Taking responsibility for ones actions and mistakes is the first step towards " is interesting and helpful for most of us YET often how others receive, perceive and view our actions and demeanor set the tone for a group or relationship.

Yourself acknowledges this unless you don't in "This one second of unawareness led to an evening of remarks towards me that were less than supportive! It's fair to say that all other actions by me that day were instantly forgotten and I will be remembered for many years as the man who caused his team to finish last."

It of course is up to us how we respond and how we view others. Just finished Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz A Toltec Wisdom Book The Fifth Agreement
The First Agreement : Be Impeccable with Your Word
The Second Agreement : Don't Take Anything Personally
The Third Agreement : Don't Make Assumptions
Th Fourth Agreement : Always Do Your Best
The Fifth Agreement : Be Skeptical, but Learn to Listen

This morning getting up I could remember number 1,2 and 5 off the top of my head and my intention is to move forward with these today.

I spent time to write their website and get the understanding that they are concentrating on this dimension of time and space. With that said I feel within this mind/body could use practice of these agreements and suspect that it will be helpful in dealing with everyday life.

Dave

Report an abuse | Like it! (2) | Delete

Adam Shaw wrote at 07:52:24 PM on Jul 14, 2010

Dear Dave,

Thanks for your comment. Funnily enough, I have just finished reading The Four Agreements. It is sitting on a shelf in front of me! Thank you for sharing the fifth - I like the sound of it. I certainly love the first four.

I am happy to be the subject of all jokes for now. I played football again last night and had a fantastic game. Mistakes can be a great motivating force!

Warmest wishes,

Adam

Report an abuse | Like it! (0) | Delete

Gargi Banerjee wrote at 10:59:32 AM on Jul 18, 2010

Hi Adam,

Very interesting read and a valuable insight. This stands true for all of us actually. One little mistake and all ur good deeds are forgotten. I suppose the reason is perhaps the majority of the world loves to criticise rather than appreciate, encourage and inspire. Those to fall prey to the accusations, and that's most individuals, tend to succumb to the hardships. My motto is to learn from that, be positive, play another game and give ur best shot.

Am glad u had a great match the next day.

Cheers!

Gargi

Report an abuse | Like it! (1) | Delete

Adam Shaw wrote at 12:34:12 AM on Jul 20, 2010

Thanks Gargi,

Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest motivating force! This experience was a reminder of that.

Warmest wishes,

Adam

Report an abuse | Like it! (0) | Delete