My Word for 2021 Is…
We used a lot of words for last year, most of which aren’t fit to print here! But if I think back to 12 months ago, I was sitting at my computer preparing for a year of breakthroughs and new relationships. And I experienced both of those in 2020, just not anywhere close to how I thought they would happen. After experiencing 9 months of a global pandemic, altering the way I engage with my clients and even my family, I have a new word for 2021 to help me focus on moving forward.
My word for the next 12 months and if I am honest, probably should be in the toolbox all the time is REBOUND. Rebound is a word that has many connotations and can be applied in a variety of ways. We speak of the stock market rebounding after a drop, we see the rubber material of a trampoline rebound as we jump up and down, and we use it to help comfort friends and family that have experienced a setback.
I grew up playing basketball and rebounding is a fundamental part of the game, because we don’t make every shot we take. (Do you see where I am going with this thought?!?!?!?) So, rebounding in the game of basketball gives you the opportunity to take another shot at your basket or if you are defending, change direction and try to score on your goal. Having natural gifts like height and the ability to jump high are really helpful in becoming a good rebounder, but there are techniques that you can learn to become a better basketball rebounder even if you are 5'9" and can barely leave the floor.
I believe that we can translate these same techniques from the game of basketball to become a better rebounder in our lives and in our businesses. I think this is critical as we all rebound from the dramatic challenges and drastic changes that 2020 presented us. Here are three tips to help you become a better rebounder:
Anticipate. In basketball, you have to read the flight of the ball and know where it will come off the rim when it hits. We call that having a nose for the ball. The same applies to our life and business, if you can read the winds of change and see what direction situations will take, then you can know in advance, hopefully before your competitors, where the rebound will occur.
Positioning. The best rebounders in the NBA will tell you that if you are on the opposite side of the basket from the shooter, there is a 70-75% chance that once the ball hits the rim it is coming to you. The same holds true in our life and careers, being in the right position at the right time gives us a much better chance to rebound from changes in our industry or culture. But, we have to anticipate so we can be in position in front of our competition. In basketball, when we position ourselves in front of our competitor between them and the goal, we call that boxing out. Being in the right position increases your chances of catching that rebound (notice I didn’t say guarantees).
Mindset. Anticipation and positioning are critical in rebounding the basketball, but it doesn’t mean that you will get every missed shot. Sometimes the ball takes a funny bounce or you just get “out hustled.” The key to your mindset for successfully rebounding from change or setbacks is resilience. The great rebounders in the NBA see themselves getting every rebound in their mind and they work extremely hard on the techniques and skills to help them be the best rebounder on the court. The same holds true in life, if you can envision yourself grabbing hold of something, you are going to get it eventually. And if you work hard on the fundamental skills, then you will grab it more often.
I believe that this year, 2021, gives us an opportunity to be hopeful again as we embark into a still uncertain future. But if you can apply the three principles of basketball rebounding, I am confident you will see new opportunities and be ready to overcome new obstacles as you move ahead in your life and your career. Happy New Year friends!