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There are moments in my life where I’m struck by the beauty of “The Beautiful Game”.
This weekend was one of those moments.
For the past few of months, a couple of my roommates and I’ve been competing in an indoor soccer league. After our NCAA season was canceled this summer, I was itching to join any team for another chance to compete — to fight for something.
A friend of ours told us about an indoor facility in the middle of nowhere where he plays with a bunch of guys. We jumped on the offer and showed up to the next game.
Just picture this for a second:
In some location in rural Missouri is an enormous warehouse facility. You grip the door handle and walk into the facility to pay your $1 entry free. You get a head bop going from the Mexican tunes over the loudspeaker. The first thing you see is an empty bar and dining area (cause COVID, but otherwise it’d be popping). Walk five steps further and look to your right, it’s glorious, a full-sized indoor soccer pitch. Fully equipped with bleachers for family and friends, boozing and cheering the lads on. It’s perfect.
One by one our teammates show up. I don’t know any of them.
“What’s up, I’m Sean.”
“Hola amigo”.
Most of them only speak Spanish.
Like I said, it’s perfect.
I’ve been with them for 7 weeks now. And this weekend we had a huge game against a team chasing us in the league.
They came out to a quick start firing shots at goal in the first few minutes. We started to hit our stride after stringing some passes and holding possession. A corner for us in the first half fell kindly to me and I blasted the rock through the keeper’s legs. 1-0.
On the bench: “Vamooosss”.
For whatever reason I love hearing that way more than “Let’s goooo”.
In the second half, we scored 2 more goals and came out victorious.
2nd in the league. Undefeated.
Yes, I love winning. But what keeps me coming back is what happens after the game.
The final whistle blows. We fist bump, say “vamos” in our faces, and march off the field to the bleachers.
We slump in our seats and begin changing, only to be interrupted by a joyous voice:
“Amigos, cervezas yes?!”
Nothing hits better than a cold one after a big win. The older guys hand out the cervezas (so much more fun to say than ‘beer’) and cheers another win in the books.
I don’t speak Spanish. But in a team like this, you don’t need words to share the experience. Here we are, a bunch of strangers from all walks of life. Tokyo, Chicago, Ghana, Mexico. Students, lawyers, construction workers, bartenders. English, Spanish, French.
Competing, laughing, supporting, sharing.
Together.
That’s what “The Beautiful Game” can do.
To Pursuing Progress
1. Performative Speaking
We are approaching the FINAL WEEK of Cohort 1 of PS. 4 weeks went by in a flash. When the course began, I knew this community would impact me positively. Now, I’m taken back by the magnitude of it. Everyone here is ambitious, self-less, and endlessly supportive, not only to make themselves a better speaker but to see their teammates improve alongside them.
Cohort 1 has been kicking ass.
Cohort 2 is coming up quickly. DM me to learn more or click here.
2. Pitch Masters
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my first online sale. It opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities. I’ve been thinking a lot about sales and have decided to invest in improving that skill. Conveniently, my good friends Robbie Crabtree and Cameron Holmes created a community for go-getter salespeople.
It opened on Friday but the energy in there is palpable. They’re hungry. They want to learn. They’re going to improve. And that’s exactly where I need to be.
3. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
Mark Twain’s quote elegantly summarizes my views on community.
Surround yourself with like-minded folk. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Push others as you push yourself. Fail together. Triumph together. Grow together.
I appreciate you spending your Sunday with me.
If you enjoyed, share with friends!
See you next week.
Sean.