Todd Burkhalter | Tag Archive

Let’s Talk Baseball

The New York Yankees are the most storied franchise in all of sports. I’ll even go so far as to say, “Rightfully so” seeing as they are currently the highest valued ($4B) in all of baseball and second only to The Dallas Cowboys ($4.2B) in all of sports. As for the Yankees you could argue that much of their success and value stems from playing in a large market city like New York. Possibly so, but the fact is, regardless of their market, they have won more championships (27) than any other sports franchise. These 27 Championships were won by some of the best players in the history of baseball. Names like Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Rivera and Jeter. Great talent doesn’t come cheap. The Yankees typically have one of the highest payrolls in baseball.

The Yankees Mystique

I will likely catch some flack here but I am a Yankees fan. Before my fanatical Red Sox fans get too anxious….. oddly enough I am also a Sox fan. yes that is possible. However, mostly I am a fan of winners! Whether its teams, people or groups; I like the idea of winning. Someone who wins repeatedly knows what it takes and consistently puts forth the effort to make it happen. Highly admirable! When you do it repeatedly over years or even decades you get a reputation or “mystique’ which proceeds you. The Yankees Mystique” is much talked about from their fans and severely maligned by others.

The Yankee Pinstripes, their iconic home uniforms, even carry that same mystique. Frank Abagnale was quoted as saying, “Why do the Yankees always win?… The other team can’t stop looking at the pinstripes.”

Small Ball

Small Ball is a baseball offensive strategy employed in which a high value is placed on individual runs and attempts to score them without requiring extra base hits, or sometimes without base hits at all.

I’d suggest that they Yankees have rarely if ever been accused of playing small ball. They’re noted for having the big sluggers who linger around and then ultimately explode on you. Rarely will they rely on typical small ball tactics which are also noted as safe, conservative or even boring. They go for the Big Kill!

Your Life, Business and The New York Yankees

Why am I discussing the style and attributes of The New York Yankees with you? How does this translate to yours and my life and business?

Simply put, I think many of us are held back by playing “small ball” in life. We think that sticking to the middle of the road mentality is the best strategy. Never putting ourselves into a position to hit that homerun; Never reaching our full potential thus never creating the wins in business and life that we ultimately desire.

A Small Ball or Middle of The Road Mindset will often seem very normal looking; possibly even admirable to some. Same job for years (hoping for a 2% raise each year), two weeks of vacation, decent vehicle, living through credit card debt, school loans, net worth primarily made up of home equity they can’t access and a favorite restaurant….. let’s say Olive Garden. All fine stuff! Please do not hear me wrong! I am not dogging that…… its just not for me!

So, if it isn’t for you either. Let’s keep talking.

If the description which I just shared isn’t for you either it is likely because you want an extraordinary life, the memorable, notable life that carries that “Yankees Mystique.” The Yankees or any other successful person, team or group didn’t achieve success over night or through some happenstance favor or luck. They were committed to building their team, brand and skills consistently for generations, seasons and decades. If you want to achieve the extraordinary I want to suggest that you do the same. Follow the model created by this great franchise and others like them.

The Yankee Model

Remember earlier when I mentioned The Yankees Payroll? I also could have included that accompanying their large payroll was also the largest grossing revenue/income for any sports team. Meaning they sell more shirts, hats, tickets, drinks than anyone else and they win. I am suggesting that you will need to spend money to achieve the extraordinary. In life or business spending could mean investing into your own education/skillset, tools or possibly investing into a team around you to help you grow. Whatever that looks like for you it likely means that you will need to adopt new strategies to get new results. The Yankees could have “saved” some money by not hiring or developing these legendary players but at what cost? Would they have won so many championships, sold so many tickets, shirts etc? You will not “Save” your way to “Wealth.”

The Yankees created their iconic look and have stuck to it. They’ve avoided many of the fads or temptations to change. However, do not hear me wrong they’ve changed and adapted when needed hence “The New Stadium.” They won many championships within the famed “House that Ruth Built” but when it was old and no longer exemplified their brand they changed. In business and life there will be times to change but it isn’t necessary to sell out to some other brand look or style. You may just need to update your skills, team or tools.

The Timing

The Yankees and all other teams tend to re-load and shift at the beginning of each year with some minor tweaks mid-year. When they want new results they make new changes. Frankly I hate that I am writing this near the end of a year when New Year/New You articles are everywhere. I beg you… plead with you to not dismiss this message to another new year message. This is a message about the life you want… not about a baseball team. The Yankees routinely achieve extraordinary success….. I want that for you!

Your Action

Do something. Let me encourage you to do something BIG. If you’ve always played it “middle of the road” maybe its time for a change if you you want new results. Grant Cardone, Real Estate Investor and Author, says, ” most people radically underestimate the amount of effort it will take to be successful.” He would suggest that whatever you’re thinking it will take; multiply it by 10 times. His words, Take Massive Action! Tony Robbins, Success and Business Coach, suggests that the right mentor or partnerships can shrink decades into days. So, find the right partners and get busy.

If you are reading this and want change but don’t know where to start. I want to help! Me and my team at Drive Planning develop customized programs for each person, business, family or organization that engages with us. Each package, service or process is developed with your success in mind. We are here to serve you.

You follow me on-line through facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, tik-tok or Instagram to learn more about me and our method. For more in depth information reach out directly through e-mail or a call.

[email protected] or 404-429-4132

Play Ball!

Being on time is most often a choice! For the most part people choose to fill their schedules, usually so full that they couldn’t possibly squeeze one more item into their day. So that at the end of the day they are drained, empty and maybe even not that productive. My pastor often speaks of creating margin in your life. Margin, you know, that extra space where nothing typically resides. Creating margin can be within your financial life, your daily activities or possibly even relationships. For this conversation let’s stick to the attributes of creating extra time. Really there is no such thing as creating extra time since we all are allotted the same amount each day. If we all have the same amount provided to us then it stands to reason that you can allocate it as you wish. I certainly recognize that there are exceptions to this for everyone. Most all of us have children, work, spouses and life pulling us in different directions. However, I believe that there are ways to create this margin in our lives. Many times it is as simple as saying, NO, I can’t make it. Eliminating certain things will allow you to be on time for the items that remain in your schedule. Thus, you are choosing to be on time. Making that conscience decision will provide many advantages. These advantages aren’t just in business settings, but can reveal themselves in many facets of everyday life.

Allows you to be prepared

Have you ever rushed into a meeting and realized that you could have been more prepared? Most all of us have at some point. We work so hard to gain a meeting, a client or an introduction and to not thoroughly be prepared is such a waste of the time and effort spent to get there.

Having extra time prior to a meeting will allow for creativity or additional research. When overbooked there isn’t time to reflect on new ways to present ideas; or team brainstorming sessions to generate entirely new presentations.

Demonstrates the importance that you give to this event

Do you believe that your client, colleague or friend feels important when you arrive 15 or 20 minutes late? Habitually late people often exude an arrogance that indicates ME, ME, ME! Certainly, what I have going on is more important than you.

It may seem harsh but I will tell you that I have seen it in action. I want to encourage you that choosing to be on time says to the person that you are doing business or even life with, that I value you and your time.

Shows your stability

Having been in financial planning now for a majority of my life; I can tell you that, especially in that business, people like to do business with people who have their act together. A client will not feel overly confident with an advisor, consultant etc. who seems frazzled and ill prepared. Choosing to not overbook or overcommit allows for margin in your day and demonstrates stability in your business.

Provides greater relationships

One of the key tenants to building a relationship is spending time with someone. Time together allows you to get to know that person. When you know someone and experience a deep relationship with them; your life will all of a sudden become more rich and meaningful.

Being so void of the margin of time in life will lend itself to shallow relationships. These are certainly less fulfilling and not what I desire. Certainly if you are reading this from a business perspective you will recognize the value of really having a relationship with your client and knowing the things that are important to them. You wouldn’t ever want to be considered a transactional or even a robotic type advisor/business person. Trust me, I have seen them.

Saves you money and Makes you money

Somewhat jokingly, I was thinking that simply allowing for extra time will reduce the likelihood of getting speeding tickets when rushing from place to place. While that is probably true, I’d rather focus on how this could generate more revenue in business. Because the obvious pushback from most Type A personalities is that they have to maintain such a hectic fast paced schedule to make the income they desire or to exceed their quota. I am certainly not advocating slothfulness here, but I would suggest that you may find a richer life and possibly even paycheck from creating a greater margin within your schedule.

Everyone knows people who are that overbooked always late person. Many times the person even jokes about it themselves. Ask yourself, do you want to be that person? There are many benefits even beyond the ones mentioned above that come from creating that breathing room in your life. Give it a shot this week!

Archives For Life

Stop Playing Small Ball