When the Odds Are Against You

Have you ever used an excuse for a failure? Bad genes - lousy teacher - not smart enough - not pretty enough - not built right - not strong enough - bad school system - no one cares?

Young George Ruth was a true "wild child". His parents, too busy running their tavern, basically ignored their son. To cover his unhappiness, George took advantage of every opportunity to cause trouble. He stole, skipped school, chewed tobacco, and drank whiskey - all before he was 7 years old.

It was the police who finally got the parents to pay attention to their son. Their response to the problem was to place their son in a reformatory/orphanage - and rarely saw him again. George, unable to adapt to the strict regulations of St. Mary's Industrial School for boys, was quickly classified as incorrigible. It was probably the nicest thing they could say.

Until one man saw promise within the boy and introduced him to the game of baseball. Whether you're a baseball fan or not - everyone knows the name Babe Ruth. The very name draws up the image of homeruns.

Handling Set-Backs

Sometimes set-backs are forced upon you. And sometimes they're self-imposed. Perhaps you made a poor choice and you have to suffer the consequences. Don't make excuses - make a decision. Take an honest look at where you are and what you're doing - and, if called for make a change.

When you learn more about him the name "Babe Ruth" also conjures images of drinking bouts, devoured hot dogs, partying and carousing. Ruth never gave up his wild ways; he simply found a way to channel some of them doing what he loved to do - play baseball.

He actually began his march to fame as a pitcher - setting many records for his prowess on the mound with the Boston Red Sox. His famed pitching, and impressive hitting, wasn't enough though the Boston Red Sox owner, needing money to finance his dreams of Broadway, sold the Babe to the New York Yankees. It was another in a long line of rejections the Babe had experienced.

Stay In The Game -- Keep Swinging

The old adage is true -- when the going gets tough - the tough get going. Don't give up - give chase to your dream! Babe Ruth could have let his bitterness stop his life and halt his drive to success and fame. He made a different choice. He kept playing. He kept swinging. He kept doing what he loved. He played baseball.

His ability to hit homeruns exploded. He became famous. He created homerun records that stood for decades. He smiled, laughed, lived life to the fullest - and he kept on swinging.

Persistence Pays Off

Here's the thing most people don't talk about. While it's true he hit more homeruns than anyone else; it's also true that he struck out more times than anyone. He only hit a homerun, on average, every 11 times at bat. He failed more times than he succeeded. Did you get that?

He failed more times than he succeeded! Yet he went on to become an American icon; loved by millions; a household name. Why? Because he chose to keep swinging! A strike out. A walk. A single. They were all necessary to get him to the next homerun. He kept swinging.

Misses Don't Mean Failure

As I have studied the lives of successful people I have seen this truth. Most have failed more times then they have succeeded. Yet they choose to keep swinging until they finally connect with the right thing; the right business; the right relationship; the right way to do something. They learn from every failure and jump right back into the game.

Have you failed at something? More than one something? Great! Stay in the game. Keep swinging. You'll finally connect. You'll find that right thing; you'll meet that right person; you'll discover the right way. The only way you can fail is if you put the bat down and choose to stop swinging.