JWN: Learning from the New York Giants

I had some other articles almost ready to go tonight. But, I’m a New York Football Giants fan and I’ve got to give you something from the heart. Tonight was historic. The game was played between the best team in the NFL and the hottest team.

Champions are seasonal. Upsets are eternal. That’s what they said on ESPN tonight. Is it true? What does it mean?

“All we need is a chance,” Tom Brady said in a heartfelt interview with Terry Bradshaw earlier in the week. That line applies to each and every one of us, every day in our lives.

Sometimes you need to create that chance though. I often say the line, “Make it happen.” I’ve even delivered a speech on it. Why does that message ring true? I’ll tell you why. Nothing in this life is promised and you can’t wait for opportunities to knock on your door.

“When you really want something, you don’t wait to be invited.” - Ann Lewis

The Giants did that tonight with one of the most incredible late season runs I have ever seen. I know I’m young. (I’ll be 22 this Thursday, February 7. Packages are welcome). But, witnessing something like that has to inspire you.

"We made it happen tonight." - Eli Manning

I’ve been a fan of the New York Giants since I was a little boy. In fact, I remember rolling around on the floor with my brother Jack and his good friend Mike when the Giants won Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills. That’s seventeen years ago. Intense how moments like that stick with you.

Few people thought the Giants could be Super Bowl Champions against the previously perfect New England Patriots. In fact, it makes me laugh because some unassuming better this evening probably made a boat load of money on this game. I mean really. A two touchdown spread? (For the record, I won $4 on the game. Big win. I know.)

What it took was belief. Unshakable confidence. If you believe it, you can achieve it.

The Giants set an NFL record tonight by winning their eleventh straight road game. They achieved their dreams the way they seem to always be achieved; out of their comfort zone. Not in their back yard. Not on their home court but on somebody else’s. Eleven times in a row.

I’m inspired right now. I can’t even think right. My mind is racing in all directions because I’m elated at the victory. But more importantly, I’m motivated by the thought that this underdog team from New York took all the punches and still mustered up the KO punch.

If we could take one ounce of that resiliency and apply it to our own lives, where would we be? It’s probably not where we are right now. And, now the question that really matters comes out. Why?

Why are we not the person we dream to be? It’s probably complacency or self-consciousness. Maybe we let others’ words get to us and bring us down. I reflected on this in a previous work, “What’s Your Self Image?”

There will always be odds against you. Someone will always doubt your pursuits. The path to success isn’t littered with blue ribbons and championship trophies. It’s fraught with losses of all kinds; family members, elections, jobs, etcetera. All these occurrences are devastating in their own way, but not insurmountable. The New York Giants proved that tonight.

Know who you want to be and don’t let anybody else make you think otherwise. No matter how much you respect their opinion. Then, go out and make it happen.

I’ve got work to do. You’ve got work to do. Keep pushing the limit. Let’s go get our championship.

You may or may not be a religious person. But, I must quote this powerful line from the Bible because it speaks beyond any religious belief.

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” – Jesus (Matthew 17: 20)

Best to you, ~JWN

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers Leadership Consulting and Personal Coaching Services and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/