You know that voice that tells you it’s not going to happen, you’re just not going to win or make it or get what you want out of all of this? Get some duct tape and force that loud mouth to shut it. You know why? Anything is possible. Yeah, yeah, that’s cliche. But I know it’s true because I won a game of paper football that no one would have EVER guessed I would.
In-N-Out is our favorite place to play our version of paper football. The white slippery tables are perfect for sliding our meticulously folded receipts. If you haven’t had the pleasure of dining with us and aren’t familiar, each player pushes, tosses, slides or flicks the paper triangle across the table. You get a point if any part of the football hangs over your opponent’s edge. Back and forth. Back and forth. The game ends immediately upon hearing your order number called. Whoever is in the lead at that moment, wins.
I usually win. (Jesse will argue that statement. But come on, who are you going to trust?) But that one particular day, I wasn’t doing so hot. Jesse had the lead. 6 to 0. Bum town. 7 to 0. He was on a roll. 8 to 0. He was talking some heavy smack. I couldn’t wait for my burger to get to the table. Then, I got 1. And another. Our number was called. But, lo and behold, they brought us the wrong order! Game on. I still had a chance. Back and forth went the black and white receipt. Back and forth went the lead.
What happened next was wild. Never seen before in any of our MANY games of paper football. I got 9 points in a row and took the title (for a day). 15 to 9. I literally went from being all slouchy and defeated in our white burger booth to shaking my triumphant fists in the air.
Never underestimate how quickly the game can change. Never underestimate how quickly the game can change.
You’re trying new tactics and techniques, but you just can’t seem to make it to the edge of the table. You’re so close. You might have to make some big changes or change your perspective, altogether. You might have to scrap an idea, an approach, and work another angle. DO NOT GIVE UP. Something will pan out. You’ll book a new client. You’ll sell that piece you’ve been wanting to. You’ll meet someone who knows someone who’s exactly the someone you needed to meet.
This whole full-time entrepreneur life isn’t for the faint of heart. Success seems to come in waves. There are lots of valleys and mountaintops. When you’re working your way through those darn valleys, keep your head down. Keep making little itty bits of progress. It may not feel like it at the time, but those tiny steps forward add up in a BIG way. No matter how gradual or quickly that momentum comes, it’s key to win the game. Use it to your advantage. Let your adrenaline drive you to keep pushing, tossing, sliding. You’ll get there.
And when you do, as you shake your triumphant fists in the air, think back to that scoreboard when you felt like a zero, and celebrate all you’ve accomplished. Maybe with a chocolate shake.