Doing Cool Stuff: Why I Play Hockey, but I Don’t Play Ragtime

Have you always wanted to learn Spanish? Live in Florence? Skydive? Try an open mic night at a comedy club? Get a degree? Learn guitar? Take a class on ornamental horticulture? Climb Mt. Everest? Take a six month sabbatical?

Here’s a question: Why not?

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I can tell you why not. Your sticking point is in one of three areas. If you want to accomplish a big goal, if you have a long-held dream that you want to turn into a reality, you’ve got to do three things:

  • See it clearly
  • Believe it passionately
  • Pursue it aggressively

See It Clearly

It starts with your vision. The most important aspect of accomplishment comes down to two words: Goal Clarity. People struggle to accomplish what they were meant for because they are fuzzy on the end result. They simply do not spend enough time gaining focus on what success really looks like…and I mean in finite detail.

There are two ways to think about climbing the metaphorical mountain. Option 1: Stand at the bottom and look up. Scary, is it not? The mountain looks ominous and the summit is socked in fog. You can hardly see past the very first step. Option 2: Stand at the top of the mountain, look back down, and ask the question, “What steps did I take to get here?” Seeing the mountain as if it has already been conquered gives you the goal clarity you need.

I started playing ice hockey this year, even though I could barely skate. I’ve hired a private coach and my goal is to make a league team in the Fall. It is a difficult and very challenging endeavor, but the vision is crystal clear. I can see myself putting on the jersey of my future team. I picture the celebration after a goal…or a win (perhaps with a refreshing adult beverage at hand). I see it before it happens.

Believe It Passionately

Seeing the end result is just the beginning. You must also fervently believe in your endeavor. That belief gives you a sense of purpose and commitment. It keeps you going even when you don’t feel like it. Belief offers both direction and endurance.

I play hockey, but I don’t play ragtime piano. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE ragtime. I love the athletic nature and the physical dexterity required. I love that the genre harkens to a different and happier time. I would love to play in that style. But I’ve also counted the cost, and at the end of the day I simply do not believe strongly enough to justify the countless hours it would take to accomplish such a feat.

I do not believe for a moment that one should pursue every passion that comes along, and that your life is a bust if you don’t knock every item off your bucket list. I believe one must count the cost and make the decision based on personal values and priorities. That said, I also believe we must not make the decision based upon whether we find the task uncomfortable.

Pursue it Aggressively

With a clear vision and a stalwart belief, we must take aggressive and assertive action. Ideas make us interesting and decisions make us bold, but it is action alone that makes a difference.

I was the worst skater on the ice on that first night of class, but I purposed from the start to simply outwork everyone else – even those who are thirty years my junior. I hired a private coach. I set up a makeshift surface on my garage floor. I routinely answer the 4:30 alarm clock to be out on the ice at 5:15 for practice.

Here’s the good news: if the vision is clear (step one) and the belief is profound (step two), step three becomes a joy, not a chore.

What is it for you, my friend? What is sitting out there awaiting your boldness? What life adventures await? Yes, count the cost and make the decisions for the right value reasons. But then follow the three steps with all you’ve got in you. And you know what will happen next? You will change the world.


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About the Author: Jeff Shore

Jeff Shore is the Founder and CEO of Shore Consulting, Inc. a company specializing in psychology-based sales training programs. Using these modern, game-changing techniques, Jeff Shore’s clients delivered over 145,000 new homes generating $54 billion in revenue last year.