Moneyball your life
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Whether you see the flick or not, think about the intelligence behind the basic concept: the majority of people are devoted to something over here. Meanwhile, over here you’ve got this . . . stuff. Everyone’s ignoring it. But it’s kind of . . . cool. Useful. Even valuable. You just need to implement it. So, what if you Moneyballed your whole life? Think about that over a few beers. Some quick ideas:
At work
Your undervalued assets: calm confidence and good humour
The global economy is still on shaky legs, which leaves a lot of people thankful to have a job and scared that it might evaporate. Because of this, a lot of workplaces are quieter than normal. Morale is sketchy. Workloads are heavier, because processes and staff have been streamlined.
READ MORE: Confidence is an aphrodisiac
And there you are. Maybe a boss, maybe not. Doesn’t matter. But your shoulders are back, your chin’s up, your grin is on. You’re not just hammering your targets, you’re the one who’s also a pleasure to work with. Your performance and posture are making things better for everyone. And you know what? When things do improve, business expands and new opportunities arise, who will they look to?
In bed
Your undervalued asset: patience
John Cleese had it right when he grumbled about “stampeeeeding to the clitoris”. What if, and we’re just throwing it out there, the next time you and your missus get frisky, you decide to spend at least 20 minutes on everything that is not located between her legs. What if you said some things to her – sincere things, from-the-heart things – that you’ve never said to her before? What if, for the first time, you really committed to turning her on at a depth and intensity that you’ve never achieved before?
Give it a shot. Unless she’s screaming like Arnie to “DOOEET! DOOEET NOW!”, slow things down and savour the time. Because we’re men and we have no idea when we’ll be having sex again. So make it count.
In the gym
Your undervalued asset: an open mind
When was the last time you gave your routine an overhaul? What would your reaction be if a mate confided that he did yoga twice a week? Would you join him? What if you’ve been a distance runner all your life and just love running . . . and a running partner said one day, “Let’s try cycling”. These are just a few examples, but think about it: just how ingrained are your workout values? How much does it take for you to try something new?
An open mind can be one of the best paths to better fitness. Your body craves new challenges. That’s really the basis of all fitness gains: are you surprising your body and making it work in new ways? So today when you walk into the gym or lace up your running shoes, ask, “What else can I do today?”
Moneyball it, guys. You never know, you might just wind up a champion.
By Mike Zimmerman