Sipping whiskey out the bottle, not thinking ’bout tomorrow. –Kid Rock

Back in the day, a trip to the beach with my high school friends didn’t require a lot of planning.  The conversation went something like this:

“You up for heading down to the beach this weekend?”

“Always.  Where are we gonna stay?”

“Dunno.  We’ll figure it out!”

And we were off!

On one such college summer weekend, we all piled into a beat-up Mustang, road-tripped to the ocean,  and spilled into the various dive bars dotting the shoreline.  As last call sounded, we were soaking in the good times without a care in the world.  Then the music stopped.  And just like we were out on the streets.  Anybody have a Plan B?

As we wandered around aimlessly (in search of Grotto Pizza no doubt!), the skies opened up, and things went from bad to miserable.  Just then a group of girls we knew from high school pulled up.  It was clear we didn’t have any clue or any prospects for basic food and shelter.

“We’re having a party back at our house.  And we have a keg and a band.  Jump in.” 

Was this heaven?  Iowa?  Either way, we were all in!  You’ve never seen a group of knuckleheads pile into a Jeep so quickly!

There were only two or three people at the house when we arrived.  It was late and the rain had dampened a lot of moods. But the band was still playing and the libations were flowing.  Time to rally!

Eventually, we wandered into the backyard. One of the girls went to South Carolina, and a few of her Gamecock friends formed the band that was still rocking.  And they were incredible!  The lead singer had the best voice we had ever heard.  And the band cranked out hit after hit with inconceivable passion and showmanship.  You would have thought they were playing in a sold-out stadium in front of thousands, instead of a soggy backyard in front of four people.

We couldn’t believe our good fortune.  My buddy screamed out over the dulcet tones emanating from the stage, and it perfectly echoed what we were all thinking.

“I can’t believe these guys are playing in a backyard.  They are big time!”

We never thought about that band again.  Until five years later when the album Cracked Rear View came out.  And it hit us like a ton of bricks.  The incredible lead singer in the backyard was Darius Rucker.  And the band was Hootie and the Blowfish.  Big time, indeed!

But as big as they became, the overall point was never lost on any of us.  They put as much effort, passion, and pride into that “meaningless” performance in the backyard as they did in front of sold-out stadiums.  And so it should be with all of us.

Make it Count

Perhaps we are presenting to a single prospect with a distant chance of closing a deal.  Perhaps we are pitching a small firm with minimal possibility of moving the needle.  Perhaps we are representing a trivial client with little hope of winning the case.  Perhaps we are a junior member of a seasoned team with a seemingly inconsequential role.  Perhaps we are playing an underwhelming opponent on the road without an audience.  Regardless of the circumstances, we have an opportunity to get better with every performance.  We have an opportunity to influence lives and hone our craft with each opportunity.  Every at-bat matters.  Why not make it epic?

If we want to improve, if we want to maximize our talents, if we want to make a difference, our attitude and approach need to be consistent.  We have to bring the same high energy and pride in everything we do.  There will be times when we are tired.  When the odds will be stacked against us.  When our work will feel so insignificant.  When it will seem like nobody cares.  That is when we have to stay on guard.  That is when we have to dig deep and step up.  That is when we have to deliver the performance of a lifetime in a rain-soaked backyard!

Stay Consistent

Why is this so important?  Because we don’t always end up jamming in front of a soldout arena!  Sometimes, we lose the deal.  Sometimes the prospect chooses someone else.  Sometimes, we flub a performance.  Sometimes, we have to slog through more backyard gigs than we deserve.  During these losing streaks, it is easy to feel sorry for ourselves.  It is easy to bring less energy and blame others for our situation.

But if we are going to stay resilient, our consistent approach will pull us out of it.  We will keep bringing the energy, because we don’t know any other way!  Eventually, our work will shine through.  Eventually, we will get the recognition we deserve.  Eventually, we will make our corner of the world a standing-room only show of a lifetime!

Hang in there.  Every good thing starts with an authentic and passionate backyard performance.