September 14, 2023
By: LaToya Bines
After waiting over 240 days for the 2023 NFL season, the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs took the field on Thursday, September 7th. During the pregame shows it was mentioned that Amnon-Ra St. Brown, wideout for the Detroit Lions, has a ritual. Before each practice, the 4th round pick of the 2021 draft reads the names of the 16 wide receivers selected prior to him. He keeps this list in a notebook along with his goals. It must be working since the Lions won their first game of the 2023 season, 21-20.
Like athletes, we must hold ourselves accountable; it is an essential part of being an entrepreneur. For solopreneurs disappointing our “fanbase” can have devastating results. Much like Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers.
As a Pittsburgh Steelers fan I was livid with their performance. During the first quarter they managed to score one touchdown right before the half and gained control of the ball in the beginning of the third quarter. I thought there may be some hope for the second half, but they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 7-30. Even though my team lost terribly, I was impressed with the 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy. He saved the drive after being sacked by Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, by controlling the football underneath him.
As a Philadelphian, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Philadelphia Eagles. If you know anything about this passionate fanbase, you may know that Eagles fans were on an emotional roller coaster during Sunday’s afternoon game. Many fans posted on social media saying, “a win is a win”, as the Eagles won against their long-time rivals the New England Patriots 25-20.
As entrepreneurs we may start our journey feeling the pressure to succeed. We know everyone is watching us like Anthony Richardson, the 2023 first-draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts. This quarterback made his first touchdown in his first professional game.
Along the way we learn that, how we start is not an indication of how we will finish, like former Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Derek Carr. Carr was a second-round pick of the 2014 draft and is now the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Carr played his 143rd professional football game during week 1 of the 2023 NFL season and threw an “empty hand” play. Even with this mishap, the Saints won against the Tennessee Titans 15-16; while the Colts lost their first game to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-21.
Overall, week 1 teaches us that it doesn’t matter how we start or the obstacles we may face. It’s how we play the game that will bring us results. Yes, it takes time, energy, patience, and practice to reach our desired outcome, but it is possible if we stay focused, motivated, and plan well. We are all playing the same game, we just have different strategies. How do you determine a win for your business, what keeps you motivated, and what makes you stand out from the rest?
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