Do you ever get the knowing knot in your stomach that something isn’t right but you just can’t put your finger on it? Well, I’ve had it all through this past football season. As a matter of fact, I may have had it for awhile, when all of a sudden the bulb lit up. What had been bothering me was the constant bantering of pre- and post-game analysis labeling certain teams as playing ‘old school’ football.

What’s ‘old school’ football, playing with leather helmets? Let me make one thing clear, football is football. It’s physical. It’s passionate. It’s emotional. It’s not defined by time or a period – it’s football. Like in business, it’s business – it’s not “old school” business. You play hard and you play to win. Along the way you fulfill your responsibility and adjust to the changes that occur. As an old running back, it went something like this…

Blood is pumping, adrenaline rushing like a freight train.  You hear the signal... "hut, hut." It's your turn. The spotlight shines. This is the make it or break it opportunity. The muscles tense... then you’re off. The ball smacks against your chest. You tuck it in. Protect it. 

Run with it.

That's what you've been taught to do. Take the ball and run with it.  

You can feel your feet slamming against the turf. You approach the hole. Just take the ball and run with it. You're headed for the front line. The hole is so wide. You know you’re going all the way. You’re smashing through the defensive line. This is too easy. All of a sudden you're there, but the hole isn't. It's closed. You’re facing a menacing wall determined to take you down.

This is where a stand is made. It’s not “old school.” This is where success is defined. It’s not ‘smash mouth.’ You hit the wall and keep pumping. You have a choice; crumble and fail; persist and succeed. This is the place that makes you a champion.

You see, taking the ball and running with it is the easy part, a good but incomplete philosophy. It's running into the defensive line that will determine who you are. It’s the time of trouble and doubt, the time when things seem to be coming down around you. All you've worked for and dreamed of is at a crossroads. This is the time that defines you. Hit it with everything you've got. If you fail, get back up. This is the difference between a man and a great man, a team and a great team. Keep pushing forward. It’s not about labels; it’s about who you are!

You will always have to contend with a defensive line in life. There will always be droughts in business. But this is the time that will define who you ultimately become.  If you keep moving and keep your mind on the goal you'll be celebrating in the end zone and the end zone is where the winners play.

Let NaVOBA help you get into the end zone.

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