An Open Letter to Boring, One of My Best Friends

My Dear Boring,

You are so misunderstood and so rejected. In a day when your childhood friends, Entertainment and Gossip, receive constant attention, you are avoided like the proverbial plaque (a moniker many have attached to you, by the way).

The problem, my friend, is that you are, well, not to put too fine a point on it, boring. You simply do not attract people in the way Glamour does and let’s face it, you can’t hold a candle to Adrenaline! (Remember him? Always daring you to do things that were reckless.) As for Comfortable, well, I know that’s a sore subject for you, so I won’t go there.

Alas, the would-be practitioners of skill activities who simply cannot abide your presence suffer unknowingly. Oh, Boring, you have so much to offer them! Performers, athletes, surgeons, craftsmen …and sales professionals all benefit from your friendship. Why can’t these wannabe’s who are so full of desire see your value? Why do they not embrace you? Are they that devoid of fortitude? Do they not see how you befriend every McCartney, Edison, Jordan and Clapton the world has ever known? They must not understand that in long, lonely hours of practice, you are a constant and true companion.

Perhaps those who are high on potential but low on production are looking for shortcuts in order to avoid you. I know how it irks you that so many skill development peddlers have befriended your archenemies, Flash and Loud—the things salespeople are attracted to. I feel for you, Boring. I really do.

But, you are not alone! Some of us are your fans, your friends. We may be a small in numbers, but we are wholly devoted to you. We practice our craft for hours. We expect you to show up (and you always do) and we always welcome you. We continue our repetitive disciplines when others have given into Amusement, Respite, or Candy Crush.

We do not hesitate to tell others of your value and your goodness, my friend. And together, good Boring, we turn mediocre sales performers into legitimate superstars. We encourage them to embrace your company during their practice sessions and to understand that lesser performers bail out when you walk into a room.

Thank you for being available to one and all, Boring. You are a great friend to any who will have you. Oh, Boring. I don’t like you, but I love you. You change my world.