Intro
This will be the first part of a two part blog post today. This first part will focus on that moment when you need to make the tough decision in your life. When you have a comfortable situation you're living in but you put it on the line for something better. As a recent college graduate, I am in that situation. Should I take the easy route with a job that utilizes my degree but isn't quite what I want to do, or should I chase my dreams, put it out on the line and fight to get to my ultimate goals? After some thought the past few weeks, i'm going to go with the latter.
While this topic has been on my mind lately for personal reasons, there are current sports stories that deal with this in a very relevant way. Specifically, Doc Rivers choosing to move from Boston to LA to coach the Clippers.
Doctor's Orders
Each of the past two or three seasons there have been some grumblings of Doc Rivers making an exit from coaching altogether or moving to a different team, and nine days after the story surfaced, the deal is complete and the Clippers are paying Doc around $7 million a year to coach and lead the Los Angeles Clippers for the next three years.
Was this a move of Doc Rivers chasing his dreams? I'd say yes. I think he had a realization over the past couple weeks or so that he didn't want to spend the rest of his career working on rebuilding the Celtics to be contenders in a young and talented Eastern Conference.
Not that the Western Conference in the NBA is any easier, but Doc is already starting with a leg up talent wise. The current Celtics roster at one time several years ago was much more talented. Now, the stars are getting old. Ray Allen left after last season. Garnett and Pierce could be gone this year and Rivers has his issues with the youngest and most talented of the Celtic's stars, Rajon Rondo.
Doc wants a couple more solid shots at winning an NBA title and thinks the young talent of the Clippers has a great opportunity in an ever-changing league. Chris Paul is one of the 10 best players in the league and the young nucleus that surrounds him is a few pieces away from being the favorite in the West.
Doc is a risk taker and a dream chaser because he decided that he wanted to make a move to take a shot at another NBA championship. He didn't want to rebuild with the Celtics for three years, get them on the verge of a title, be physically worn out from coaching, retire, and give someone else his team with a chance to win.
He could have stayed cozy in Boston. He was adored by the fans, respected by the players, and admired by the organization. He didn't want to coast off into the sunset with a couple more 46-36 seasons with an exit in the second or third round of the playoffs each year and go down as a great coach with one title.
I wish Doc the best of luck in Los Angeles. If they add the right pieces then I think they will be a favorite in the West and have a great chance to compete with Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Golden State, and Denver at the top of the conference.
The Decision
You all hated LeBron for making "The Decision" to go to Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Isn't that what life is all about? Take whatever field you're in and put together the hypothetical to work with some of the best in your profession, for one of the best CEOs or bosses, and tell me you wouldn't take it?
If you didn't take it, i'm guessing you're the type of person who has lived within 10 miles of your hometown your entire life. That's okay. You can choose a life like that if you want. I'm not here to tell you how to live, but put yourself in the shoes of people who are risk takers and dream chasers. When the opportunity is there, they must take it. They don't plan years in advance on how to make their next move. They simply see an opportunity, sit down and think about it, and make a decision. When people are in certain businesses, they must take all of the opportunities they can get because they hold positions that people highly value.
If you're in the media, the head of a company, a coach, etc. then you have a highly regarded job. There are hundreds of people out there just waiting for an opportunity to take your job. You also have a shorter time to achieve greatness. If you're in the media and get the opportunity to host your own show on a small local network and then NBC comes along and wants to pick up your show and broadcast it nationally, you better jump on it. The same thing goes for coaches and players in the NBA. There are only a small amount of elite positions available and the market of potential competitors is endless. So, when the moment comes where you can make the jump to the top, take it.
Personality Test
There is a lot of talk about Type 'A' and Type 'B' personalities. This is a theory of two contrasting theories of personality that most people fall under.
People who are Type 'A' personalities are the people who are risk takers and dream chasers. They are the people who go and get things done. They don't wait around for things to happen. They are focused and dedicated to being successful. They fill their plate and go for it all. They don't wait around and hope for the situation to come to them.
The Type 'B' personalities are the people who tend to be more relaxed. They take an "if it gets done, it gets done" approach to many things. They look for a simpler life and usually end up staying in the same type of place from which they were raised and are completely satisfied with it.
I think I fall somewhere in between the two. I have many Type 'A' qualities but can also take a step back and enjoy the moment. I think everyone should look for some type of balance in their life and not lean too far toward one type or the other. If you have it in you, and are a Type 'A' personality, your level for success is going to be much higher because you are going to work like crazy to get there.
Working like crazy is exactly what the LeBrons and Doc Rivers of the world did, so don't berate them or hate them for leaving a situation they were in for a better one. They did the work to be in that position. They aren't disloyal for leaving Cleveland and Boston, they spent plenty of time in those places and gave a lot to both cities. A better opportunity for them came along and they took it. Don't hate, understand.
On the Flip Side
Tune back in later today for a second blog post that is focused on people who are given a chance to be successful and can't seem to get away from the evils that haunt them to stay successful, "Rule Breakers, not Chain Breakers"
Thanks!
- Tim
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