You may not be a soccer (football) fan. You may not care about the soccer fever that is going on in the world because of the World Cup in Russia. But if you had a chance to watch this sensational match between Spain and Portugal; two teams that are listed as the top 10 best teams in this tournament; you had experienced an amazing soccer game.
Spain had won the World Cup in 2010, but failed to advance after the first round in 2014. Since that time, they manage to build an extraordinary team with David de Gea as the best goalkeeper in the tournament. Portugal is the defending European Champion. They are led by one of the best players in the world, Christian Ronaldo. Both teams gave the fans a match they will not forget soon.
It was a battle since the very beginning when Ronaldo was brought down in the penalty area. He took the opportunity to place the ball in one corner of the goal and send the star goalkeeper to the other side. As you could anticipate, Spain found a way to tie the game before the first half was over.
When Ronald is playing and you are a soccer fan, you have to keep an eye or both eyes on him, because you never know when he is going to make an incredible move or play. I am glad I did not miss that one. I watched him run to the pit with such a great determination. He was the first to get there. He had a look on his face that sent a feeling of fear to his opponents and assurance and confidence to his teammates. It did not take too long before he struck a powerful shot that found its way in the net.
One lesson to learn from that moment is that he created the opportunity. He took the shot even though he did not place it in a position where the Spain goalkeeper had a perfect opportunity to save it. That situation reminded me when I used to coach. I always told the players to take chances by taking shots on goal because you never know what might happen. This approach is also true in life and business. You have to try and keep trying. There is no perfect moment, or if there is going to be one, you must help create it.
Back to the game – there were some amazing plays and six beautiful goals – 3 for each team. But Ronaldo came out as the start of the game by scoring all the 3 goals for Portugal. The third one was a superb one. I watched him very close. I knew he would bend the ball and place it in the top corner of the goal. I also thought that moment could create a possibility for the Spain goalkeeper, David de Gea, to make a sensational save as well.
But after watching the concentration and focus on the face of Ronaldo, I had to change my mind. It was a direct kick, only two to three feet outside of the penalty area – a perfect range for an exceptional player like Ronaldo. However, he did not take that opportunity lightly. He placed the ball on the ground and stepped back. He took several deep breaths. He closed his eyes. He opened his eyes and looked at the target. He was laser focus. It seemed that he had cleared all distractions. One thing mattered at that moment – scoring the equalizing goal. Spain was leading 3 to 2 after scoring two consecutive goals.
The star knew he had a moment to save his team from losing the game. He put a spin on the ball so it could travel over and around the defensive line to find his way to the top corner. The Spain goalkeeper could only look at the ball going to the net. There was noting he could have done to make a save. Ronaldo’s execution was impeccable. He knew it, and so did everyone who watched it. He had to combine his physical energy, emotional energy, and mental energy to take that shot that scored the equalizing goal.
As leaders in the home, community or at work; there are times when we will face tough challenges and feel that the game is on the line. We need to be prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to know what to do and have the courage to do the right thing and take the difficult decisions. Do you have the discipline to remain laser focused on the task at hand knowing that the people you are leading depend on you to help them navigate the stormy weather? Are you taking the time to prepare yourselves in these four areas of energy, spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental? As you know well, when the time for execution comes, the time for preparation is long gone. And the noise that is inside of your heart and mind can be the toughest distraction or your toughest competitor. Are you prepared well enough so you can remain calm and focus even in the midst of tough time?
Thank you for your time!!! Illens Dort – authour of Thinking and Acting with a Compassionate Heart. To buy a copy go to https://www.amazon.com/author/Illensdort.