Going through life and handling the stresses, strains, and pressures… is like a game of cricket.
You got a piece of wood in your hand called a bat; you got three sticks behind you called stumps; you got 10 people out there waiting to catch you out; and you got someone at the other end who’s going to throw a hard round red ball at you 6 times.
On average, 4 of those balls you don’t have to play. If you don’t touch them, they will not harm you, and you will not be out. Shoulder your bat and let them go past: anger, fear, envy, depression, fear of rejection, self-doubt… Don’t play them.
On average, one of those balls is a good one… It’s on good length and it’s right on the middle stick, and you will have to deal with it because if you don’t, you will get into trouble. So you get behind your bat, you pad up, and you go bang! You kill it dead. You deal with it right then and there, on the spot, then you put it away. It’s done and dusted.
Now, on average, one of those balls is a loose ball that you can score from. It’s an opportunity. Trouble is, too many people try to play every ball; too few know which balls to let go, which ball to block, and which ball to score from.
I shoulder my bat 15, 20 times a day. I don’t play them…
Don’t worry about anything over which you have no control. But those things that you can control, you deal with; and you deal with them as they come.”
– John Hughes
John Hughes is recognised for his adherence to “hands-on” management and impeccable quality customer service to back up the extensive media advertising involved in the marketing of his motor vehicles. His personal and business profile, along with passion for excellence in all levels, has made him a popular and much sought-after motivational speaker. The above allegorical reference to the game of cricket is one of John’s original and favourite food-for-thought. The John Hughes Group is the largest single-location motor vehicle retailing company in Australia. John Hughes and his lovely wife, Margarita, are committed supporters of Filipino community projects, events, and social work in WA and in the Philippines.
Photo: Theo Fakos. Source: PerthNow, The Sunday Times, December 04, 2010. WA Second-hand car guru John Hughes, the 0.001 percenter. www.perthnow.com.au
