Pushing Boundaries with March Madness

When I named my first self improvement blog, I chose Out of Bounds because I’m in love with the idea of pushing boundaries.  The concept was, and is, to never allow yourself to be trapped in a restricted area – confined by boundaries set by anyone, including yourself.  Of course it’s a lot easier to say, “Go as far as you think you possibly can and then go further” than it is to actually do it.  Sadly, it is very easy to create these boundaries for yourself.  It’s easy to say, “I’ve gone as far as I possibly can – so leave me alone. Leave me comfortable. Hand me a Coke while you’re up.”

But, really, just how wonderful is stagnation?  How comfortable is it to cease to grow? If you ask me, few things are sadder than the individual with a world of potential who won’t get out of their own way. They take a look around and see boundaries that have been set either by others or their own insecurities and laziness.  Then, instead of summoning up enough fight to push the boundaries back – they go back to the couch.  How much are they missing out on?  What are they robbing themselves, and possibly the rest of the world, of?

Unless gumption finds them on the couch and taps them on the shoulder, we may never know.

In the world of sports, this sort of comfy cozy thinking seals athletes’ fates again and again.  You know the inspirational quote, Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Apparently, many more people are flirting with insanity than we ever thought possible.

Here’s one scenario: An NCAA basketball program sits down to make out a schedule for the coming year.  The coach and athletic director, who of course value their  job, take caution when scheduling other teams.  They often opt for more cupcakes than they do serious competition.   After all, wins are all that matter to them at that moment.   Then, along comes March and they find themselves again on the “bubble” for being selected into the highly coveted NCAA Tournament.  The experts play the familiar song of “a weak schedule” and how important it is to have a strong schedule.  Every.  Year.

The coaches and the athletic directors KNOW they have to play stronger teams to stand a chance of making the dance.  Yet, somehow they keep setting their own boundaries – then waiting on a miracle in March.  They make one of the worst mistakes in the world – leaving their fate in someone else’s hands.  Whenever possible, we should move Heaven and earth to control our own fate and make our own way… yes, even if that means pushing the boundaries back and taking chances.  Never leave your fate up to someone else. Stay behind the wheel of your own car.

Taking on challenges is like playing stronger teams – it makes you stronger, and isn’t that the whole idea?

Of course (sticking with NCAA basketball – partly because I eat, sleep, and breath it… I’m from Kentucky, it’s a birthright) the kids aren’t always completely blameless, either.  How about the games they throw away because they lose focus?  Sure it’s tough to have laser focus during final exams week or the holidays – but sometimes you have to dig deep and if you can’t find the strength – create it.

My own beloved UK Wildcats lost focus earlier in the season.  They achieved the coveted #1 ranking, got a call from President Obama (for raising an incredible amount of money for Haiti), were lead by candidates for player of the year, freshman of the year, and coach of the year, and were the last undefeated team in the country.  Distractions, much? They went to South Carolina to play a team who (on paper), while comprised of talented kids with a lot of heart, in no way, shape, or form, should have beaten UK.  No way. No way. No way.

But they did.

The South Carolina kids, coaches, and fans had a look of sheer determination and focus in their eyes and in their play.

Our guys lost focus for one game and – in the end – it could have cost them (months later) a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.  At the time, the tourney was the farthest thing from their minds.  If the President had just called me, I’m pretty sure it would be far from my mind as well!  This lack of focus wound up drawing boundaries for them – locking them out of the #1 spot in the rankings.

They had to fight like crazy the rest of the year – especially in the SEC Tournament – to keep their top seed hopes alive.  Thanks to a team who was fighting for their NCAA life (Mississippi State), we could have easily lost our number one seed.

Although no one really wants to think about it (because it makes the head throb and the heart sink), if UK had kept their focus in South Carolina, they could have finished the year ranked #1 and gotten the very top seed.

When we lose focus, even for 40 minutes – we create our own boundaries.

Approach each day with more than just that day in mind.  Think of the big picture, what you’re working toward.  Don’t think about who you are, where you are, or what you’re doing, think about who you want to be, where you want to go, and what you want to be doing.   At the first of each season, and before each game, if the players and coaches all remembered that they were playing for top positions in the NCAA tournament (or even an invitation to the dance), they’d be SO much better off.

Thinking about it in March is too late.

• If you want a promotion or a raise next year – it’s something you have to keep in mind each and every day.  You can’t wait for next year to roll around, then hope you did enough.  You have to think about it every single day and make sure you do enough!  Don’t let laziness or lack of focus create boundaries.
• If you want to lose weight – you can’t slack off.  You have to commit yourself to the task each and every day – yes, even on weekends.  You know the smart decisions, just make them and make them and keep making them until you get to where you want to be.  Don’t set deep-fried or sugar-coated boundaries for yourself and don’t let laziness or a lack of focus fence you in.
• If you want to grow your home business and make more money (who doesn’t?!), you can’t just think about it once or twice a week.  You can’t just focus your attention on it when the bills are due.  It’s something you have to focus on and commit to every day – 24/7.

When we lose focus, things that shouldn’t in any way defeat us sneak up on us.  Whether they’re Gamecocks or other forces of evil!

Stay focused and keep pushing yourself to go further, do more, and be more.  This is the only way to keep pushing the boundaries AWAY from you and to keep growing.  The alternative?  The boundaries won’t just close in on you – they’ll collapse on you and you won’t have anywhere to go…. or grow.  Keep pushing the boundaries.  Keep pushing the boundaries.  Keep pushing the boundaries.  Out of bounds is where the sweetest music is.

Dance on!

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Pushing Boundaries with March Madness

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