What's Your Trophy? By Mike Fallat
Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup for the 5th time in team history. Any true hockey fan can appreciate the skill, determination, and ability to overcome adversity the Penguins showed in that last 2 months. It really was an unbelievable journey.
The Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win. If you ever watch a playoff series in its totality, then you understand why.
When you put your body on the line for something that is everlasting (like having your name being etched into the record books and on Lord Stanley's cup which is now 125 years old), there is something truly inspirational about it. To care that much about something. To do whatever it takes. Well, that must be respected.
The battles it takes (mentally and physically) to earn that trophy is mind blowing. But if you commit all the way, 2nd place just isn't an option. Deep down inside of me, I really believe the absurd difficulty of winning a Stanley Cup is what makes it sort of magical. The difficulty in winning is what actually makes it great. Greatness is rare. Greatness is difficult. Greatness can only be computed once the journey is over.
Twenty years from now, nobody will ever be talking about how incredible the 2nd place goaltender was in the final series. You know why? Because nobody cares about the person who lost. History is only kind to the people who capture the trophy.
Maybe you can't skate. Maybe you don't know how to hold a hockey stick. Maybe you never watched a game of hockey in your life. But I guarantee you chased a trophy at one time in your life. Maybe you still are chasing it.
The trophy you chased (or are chasing) might not be piece of metal. It might be a dream business. It might be a feeling of security. It might be a woman. It might be a man. It might be that crazy vision in your head. It might even be a book you have always wanted to write.
Whatever it is, the chase should never end.
At the end of the game, Sidney Crosby was asked "You have accomplished everything a man could possibly want in hockey, so what is the motivation to keep playing?"
He answered "This feeling right now. I want to keep feeling it over and over."
I have met many people who stopped chasing their own personal trophy. It's sad to look into their eyes and see the lost dream. They gave up the chase. They gave up on themselves. They gave up looking, fighting, and wanting that trophy.
I might be on cloud 9 today for a few reasons. Yes, of course, partially because my team won the cup. But also, because I woke up and realized I have been given one more day (at least) to chase my trophy(s).
The story is not over. It's not going to be easy. However, you don't even want easy. You want great. Keep writing. Keep chasing. Your trophy is waiting.
Mike Fallat helps entrepreneurs write and publish bestselling books and then teaches them how to use it as the ultimate marketing tool. Contact him if you want to use your story as a competitive advantage.
Instagram: @TheDreamStarter
Email: mfallat@dreamstarterspgh.com
Website: www.DreamStartersUniversity.com
