A floundering 20-year-old, a retired CEO and a former NFL player are all struggling for the same reason. They are missing the three things everyone needs to thrive. So, what does everyone need?
- A Mission: a purpose or goal that is meaningful to you and energizes you. It gives you fuel.
- A Team: a group of friends, co-workers, colleagues, or teammates that help you get better and achieve the mission.
- A Scoreboard: a way to measure progress and track success, growth and mastery. It gives you focus and direction.
Humans are wired to have these three things and if you don’t have them, you will likely feel lost or struggle.
The 20-year-old had a mission when he was in high school, and it was to get good grades and get into college. But now while in college he has no idea what he wants to do with his life and no longer has a mission. He played sports in high school but no longer has a team or a great group of friends. For years his scoreboard was test scores to get into a good college and now that he achieved that he no longer has a scoreboard that drives him.
The retired CEO once had mission to build a world class company that dominated their industry. She had a leadership team and thousands of employees she worked with every day to achieve their mission. She had several scoreboards that let her know they were winning, growing revenue and gaining market share. But now the CEO doesn’t have a mission that causes her to hop out of bed with excitement and enthusiasm. Golf is fun but it’s not the same. She misses fighting the battles with her team and the relationships and bond they developed. And she no longer has a scoreboard that makes her feel like she is making progress.
The retired NFL player had a mission every day to get stronger, get better, play well and win the game. He had a mission every time he walked into the team facility. He had teammates that became friends and family. They battled against the competition together and supported each other off the field. The scoreboard was clear. Tackles, sacks, wins and losses, probowls, championships, contracts and money. Now the career is over. The mission is completed. He misses the comradery he had with his teammates and no longer has a scoreboard that gives his life meaning and focus.
All three of these people need a new mission. They need a new purpose to work towards that ignites and energizes them. They also need to build a new team. Relationships and connection are essential for well-being, longevity and happiness. And they all need a new scoreboard that propels them forward and makes them feel like they are accomplishing something meaningful.
My friend Thomas Williams is a former NFL player who joined our team of speakers and trainers a few years ago and has thrived as a result. He said ever since he left the NFL he’s been searching for a team and he finally found one in us. He also said he had to create a new scoreboard in his life and career and now it’s how many speaking engagements he can do and how many lives he can impact.
This is true for all of us and it’s true for those you lead.
If you don’t have a mission, find one and help others find theirs.
If you don’t have a team, join a club, a book club or group with similar interests as you. Get involved in your church or local non-profit. Invest in relationships and build your team one person at a time.
If you don’t have a scoreboard, create one. Decide what success looks like to you and your team. It could be a number you want to reach, or a goal you want to achieve or an impact you want to make.
I love teaching this because once you understand the need for a mission, team and scoreboard you’ll be able to see when they are missing from your life and the life of others. And once you realize they are missing you can do something about it in order to thrive and also help others thrive.
Have a great week!
Jon
PS., I created a Certification program and Circle to help others thrive. I’m also creating a Leadership Academy for College Students this summer. Stay tuned.
