“Think Like A Ball” To Survive Today's Business World

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“Think Like A Ball” To Survive Today's Business World

By Terry L Brock for DSound, Steemit

When I was 12, my parents enrolled me in a martial arts class at the local YMCA to study Kodokan Judo. Dad felt it would be good to know how to “take care of myself” and to learn about being disciplined

He was right.

We had an instructor from Tokyo, Japan, named Toyoji, Matsumoto san. He was a Third Degree Black Belt, and he knew his technique as well as his art. We learned a lot from this wise man.

One day five of us (all about the same age) were seated in the “anza” (cross-legged) position on the tatami (rice mats). Sensei (meaning “teacher”) Matsumoto san came into the room with a basketball, looked at us pensively and then said, “Young men, you must learn to always think like a ball.”

We all looked at each other wondering what he was talking about. Was this some ancient Japanese custom? Was Sensei not feeling well today? Was this an ancient form of Japanese humor? Who knew?

Sensei Matsumoto san gently placed the basketball on the tatami with his hand firmly on top. He slowly rolled the ball forward as he looked at us and said, “See this ball? It is always in balance. If I roll it forward, (long pause inserted here) it is in balance. If I roll it backwards (another long pause), it is still in balance. If I roll it from side to side, it is still in balance.”

We were all curious as to what this had to do with learning Judo. Although we were diligent young students, the connection was escaping us.

Sensei Matsumoto san continued.

“That is how you must think and act. Always be in balance no matter what happens. If you are attacked from the front, remain in balance. If you're attacked from behind, remain in balance. Even if you are attacked from both sides at the same time, remain in balance.”

Finally this master of not only martial arts, but of living life, told us, “Even if you are knocked down, remain in balance. Get up quickly.” He then dazzled us with a fancy Judo technique for getting up quickly.

In the years since, I've often thought about that lesson from Sensei Matsomoto san. Life is often difficult professionally and personally. Being an entrepreneur can be especially tough. Sometimes you're hit with direct frontal challenges. Other times you're hit from the back. Sometimes you're hit from both sides –-- at the same time. That can hurt!

Anyone I've seen in business who is successful has also fallen down from time to time. That is normal. But as Sensei Matsumoto san was able to quickly jump back on his feet, we have to do that in business.

Being an entrepreneur, is not for the faint of heart. It is for the strong.

Those willing to endure hardship and keep going will be successful. Yes, there are times when life is going to hit you. Sometimes you'll get bruised –- badly. Ouch! Sometimes you'll bleed and that will hurt also. Double ouch!

The most successful entrepreneurs and salespeople are the ones who have trained themselves with relentless repetition of correct practices. They know how to react when, not if, problems come.

I love the way former United States Navy SEAL and SEAL team Six founder, Richard Marcinko describes it. “The more you sweat in training, the less you'll bleed in battle.”

Realize that there will be tough times. Practice and prepare for that and always remember to be in balance, to think like a ball. Never be off balance in your spirit and your mind. Know what you are going to do as you “roll with the punches.”

If we can do that, somehow I think both my Dad and Sensei Matsumoto san would be proud.

Terry Brock

All the best,

Terry

Terry Brock, MBA, CSP, CPAE
Member, Professional Speaker Hall of Fame
Certified Speaking Professional

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