Failure Makes Excuses; Just Keep Swinging The Bat

I remember my short-lived days as a Little League baseball player, how timid I was when I started playing. I was tentative fielding ground balls and just plain scared to swing at any pitch that was remotely fast. My first year in Little League was a nightmare. Confidence was at an all-time low, and I was so afraid of failing that I left the bat on my shoulder for most of the season. Lots of called third strikes!

I was lucky to have a big brother who always looked out for me, including doing a little “side” coaching in every sport I played. Prior to my next season, he was determined to help me eliminate my fear of fastballs by, you guessed it, throwing me a bunch and just having me stick my bat out. Eventually, I started swinging away and the hits started coming.

It did take me longer than usual, but once I learned how it felt to swing the bat, I was good … for a little while. Then I struck out and the fear came back. But, when my coach and my brother both let me know that a strikeout swinging was okay, again, I was good. I never looked at a third called strike ever again. They eliminated my fear of failure and I swung away. Of course, I picked radio over baseball, which was a good decision for number of reasons.

How are we acting today with our careers and with our industry? Are you swinging the bat, or is it just resting on your shoulder? Let me re-phrase the questions: Are you just doing what you’ve always done on air and with your station, or are you taking some chances and trying to make something happen?

One of my best mentors in my career (and now business partner), Dave Paulus, encouraged our staff every day to “swing the bat.” He always said that you really can’t accomplish anything with the bat on your shoulder. Right now, our industry and a lot of us in our jobs/careers are in that same position. We have been using the same programming principles, the same coaching techniques, the same slogans, the same music mix that all have been around for more years than I can count and, yet, expecting different results. Ah yes – Einstein’s definition of insanity! There it is again.

Now is the time to REALLY swing away. Take some chances with your programming. Take some chances with your music. Sure, there will be some misses/failures BUT, when you connect, just imagine the success, the satisfaction, and the exhilaration! Think about those times you really did “swing the bat” and connected. How did that feel?

Now, more than ever, you cannot be afraid to fail. If you’re a manager, encourage your staff to take some chances. There will be some pitfalls, but give them credit for the attempt and encourage them to keep trying! Do this, especially, with your talent. Let them know that the status quo is not acceptable and work with them to get more creative, compelling, and different.

Step up, SWING THE BAT, and enjoy what happens next!

In my next column, I stay with the baseball theme and show how a long-time play-by-play sportscaster preps for every game and his fan engagement in a new market after over 10 years somewhere else. Get ready to take some notes.

“Taking Your Radio Presence To The Next Level. Be it an artist, radio programmer or on-air talent. Coaching and mentoring down to your foundational level”

Contact me:
John Shomby
Owner/CEO Country’s Radio Coach
jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com
757-323-1460
https://countrysradiocoach.com