What Playing Hockey Has Taught Me About My Job

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Part 1 – Create a Game Plan

A few weeks back I had a very interesting conversation with my boss; it wasn’t your typical work-place dialogue to say the least. Two facets of my life which I never thought could cross-paths did exactly that and it was all laid out right in front of me to digest. Being the avid “sports enthusiast” that I am, what better way for my boss to paint a picture than in the terms that me and almost every other Canadian have grown up around; Hockey.

Before even stepping on the ice, any effective team, coach or player has to sit down and determine a game plan; a structured strategy worked out in advance. In business, as in hockey, you must start your day with exactly that. Determine what needs to be done, what you need to make it happen and how you’re going to do it. In theory, this can be applied to not only the office day-to-day, but also at a long term perspective for both personal and professional goals.

Structuring your day properly from the onset is pivotal in accomplishing your short and long-term goals. Be sure to prioritize tasks and manage your time, however, always anticipate that “curveball” or high-priority item thrown at you, as the saying goes; “Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst”.

Like in any sport, one must prepare themselves for what’s to come. Know your strengths, weaknesses, what you can sacrifice and where you can excel in order to be ready for anything. Creating and executing a game plan each and every day will help increase productivity, stay organized and most importantly, accomplish your goals.

 “The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” – Bobby Knight

Cheers,

Deryck

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