There is a thin line between winning and losing.  Between mediocrity and greatness.  Between fulfillment and frustration.   We all teeter somewhere on that line.  What is going to put us over the top?

A few weekends ago, I took an old-fashioned college road trip to see my nephew, Sean Clark, play football for the Washington & Lee Generals.  The “Gennies” were taking on Dickinson College in a classic battle of two historic programs.  The tailgating.  The crowds.  The cow bells.  It was an electric atmosphere.

And the game did not disappoint.  After four hard-fought quarters, the contest ended in a tie.  A tense overtime loomed and everything was on the line.  Washington and Lee stopped Dickinson on the first overtime series in a brilliant defensive stand.  It was now up the offense.  If the Generals scored, the game would be over.  Could they do it?

Washington & Lee moved the ball down to the Dickinson 2-yard line.  Victory was in sight.  With the game on the line, the quarterback handed off to the Generals All-Conference tailback.  He took the ball and leapt high into the air, outstretched toward the goal line.

The tailback was suspended in mid-air, held up by several Dickinson defenders.  He rocked back away from the end zone.  It looked bleak.  But ever so slowly, Sean Clark and the offensive lineman kept churning their legs.  Sustained effort.  Incredible determination.  The tailback now angled back toward the end zone.  Finally, the grinding momentum propelled the tailback across the plane.  Touchdown.  Game over!

It could have gone either way.  But the offensive line and the tailback worked together to go over the top.  And that slight bit of help and extra effort made the difference.

And couldn’t we all use that extra nudge and encouragement in our personal and professional lives?

Every Little Bit Helps

In our work lives, even the smallest gesture of help can make the difference between success and failure.  We may nail the client pitch but need expert technical assistance to close the sale.  We may write a perfect business plan but need that extra bit of investment to get our enterprise off the ground.  We may create a electric atmosphere for our students to thrive but need the backing of the administration to execute on our unique vision.

Our work lives are constantly teetering in the balance.  We can’t cross the goal line on our own.  We need help to be successful.  We need the backing of our peers and our management.  We need a positive word of encouragement.  Just that extra little push can make all the difference.

Our Inner Circle Can Get Us There

The same is true in our personal lives.  We want to be strong for our spouse or significant other.  We want to maintain lasting bonds with our friends.  We want to make sure our children stay on the right path.  But there is so much beyond our control.  It takes a village to keep the train on the tracks.

Sometimes, we need our partner to pick up the slack.  Sometimes, we need our friends to forgive us and help us move on.  Sometimes, we need our children to demonstrate good judgment at crunch time.  We can set the table.  But sometimes we have to trust our inner circle to deliver and help push us over the top.

We Are Never Alone

But what happens when we dive for the goal line and fall short?  Our business fails.  Our support group flounders.  Our partner abandons us and our children make poor decisions.  The pile pushes us backwards into the grass and mud.

It’s time to saddle back up.  As long as we maintain our positive energy, we will always have a new set of downs.  As long we can sustain effort in difficult moments, we will always have another shot at the goal line.  It may feel as though we are going backwards.  It may feel lonely and hopeless at times.  But there are so many people in our lives who want us to succeed.  We need to keep fighting.

It’s all about churning those legs and moving forward.  It’s all about working together toward success.  It’s all about realizing that life is a team sport.  We are never alone.

Keep Moving Forward

Sean Clark and the Washington and Lee Generals emerged victorious.  It took a total team performance and sustained effort on both sides of the ball.  But that extra push was the difference between victory and defeat.

Keep grinding.  Never stop fighting for your inner circle.  Recognize that you can’t always achieve your goals on your own.  And keep moving the pile!

The battle is never over.  If keep pressing forward, we will eventually plunge over the top for victory.

Until next week, keep smiling.