written by john c ashworth, aka Johnny Renaissance

When he looked me in the eye from the sideline, and told me to "have a go" I was dumbfounded.  The idea had not even occurred to me at the time, because the distance between the ball and the goal was too great.  I had hit some long free kicks and shots for goals in my career, but this distance had not even been in my mind as a possibility.  Which is the point of this little short story...

He finally convinced me to do it.  From the look in his eye, I could see that there was hell to pay if I disobeyed.  So, I lined it up and went at it.  A shot taken from halfway between the top of the penalty box and midfield.  A shot for the ages.  I hit it like a missile.  No spin.  A gruesome and fierce knuckle ball struck with the confidence he had somehow channeled in me.  After all these years, I can actually still the goalkeeper's crazed eyes lighting up with fear just before his stymied attempt to stop this rocket from piercing the back of the net.  A shot hit right at him, and through him, though he never even touched it.

I couldn't believe it myself.  No one could, really.  I jumped so high in my celebration that even that leap became legend among my teammates.  Somehow, he knew I could do it.  Somehow, I raised my game by channeling a belief that was not yet my own.

I'm sure it's going to sound stupid to you, that first on my list of the five things that raised my game as a salesman was the purchase of a new custom fit suit, with shirts to match.  "Clothes do not make the man."  A phrase I've heard and is so obviously true, but they can help a man raise his game.  Try it some time.

Second was my decision to surrender to the things around me that I can't yet control.  Yes, you see...I sneaked the word 'Yet' in there like a fox.  Regardless of control, though, I have discovered it important day to day to stay primarily focused on the things that you can control.  Like the clothes you decide to wear, and iron - or not.  It still surprises me to see colleagues with unpressed shirts.  But that's a story for another time.  For now, "I play the way I'm facing."  A wise phrase still with me from that same genius who encouraged me to take that shot.

Third, I try and sleep more at night, and I get to the the gym 4-5 days per week.  At home, I stretch and practice yoga and pilates as much as I can.  I'm not out on the pitch anymore.  Those days are over.  I primarily play one versus one with my labradoodle, Allie now.  That's enough soccer for me.  All of the other exercise helps offset my tendency for sweet stuff and keeps me sharp most days of the week.  At this point in my life, I honestly don't understand how people can even go without regular exercise.  Personally, my body demands it.

Fourth, I've surrendered.  In fact, that's my word for the year, SURRENDER.  This is a personal commitment to myself to surrender to the things around me that I cannot control.  And probably more importantly, a personal commitment to surrender first as a husband, and father, and then as a professional salesman.  The first two environments feed the the third.  Not the other way around.  It's easy to become confused by this truth.

Fifth, I have committed also to writing more often.  A written piece like this one has a way of clearing the path for what comes next.  A way of freeing you to move in to the flow and accept what comes your way.  Not passively either.  It remains vital to work hard, and sometimes long hours to make positive things happen. Your success cannot be simply a manner of surrender without also the actions and the daily discipline that will move your forward.

Thanks for reading.  I appreciate you being here.

-John