This weekend I played my first game of football in over a year. To make matters worse, it was an 11-a-side 90-minute grueller. I was surviving, but barely.
Deep into the second half and up 4-3, we launched a cracking on-target shot, only to be blocked by a defender’s arm in the penalty box. This mistake meant we were awarded a penalty, which is where the ball is placed 10 metres from the goal, and we had a free shot to score against the goalkeeper.
The tentative looks on the faces of my team mates told me they were staying well away from the task.
Heart pounding, legs trembling, I approached the ball and imagined myself as Lionel Messi extending the lead for Barcelona in the Champion’s League final.
Whether by skilful strike or simple luck (let’s be honest, it was luck), the ball sailed into the net.
The rush of emotion that I felt in this amateur Saturday kick-around gave me a tiny insight into what it must feel like to be the player taking the deciding shot in a high-stakes sporting match. What pressure they must feel. And more importantly, what confidence they must possess.
I likely won’t be taking another penalty shot for at least another year, but I loved the experience from this weekend and what I learnt from it. Despite it being a low stakes game, I still had to muster the confidence to overcome my insecurities, say “I’ll take the shot”, and then follow through with action.
What would happen if we applied this type of attitude to our work and relationships? Would we see different results? Could we make things a little better?
It definitely feels like it is worth a try.