Playing The Game On Your Home Court*

The winning percentage of a typical NBA team is about 35 percent for away games, and 65 percent playing at home. Although the overall record is .500, why do they perform 30 percentage points better at home?

Most NFL teams consider a 10-6 record a successful year which, most times, will get them in the playoffs. Of the 10 wins, most likely 7 were at home, and 3 were away. Why does this good team win all but 1 game at home and yet only 3 of 8 on the road?

There are some obvious answers, many of us would say, such as - they don't have to travel and are therefore more rested; they get more support at home from their fans, so they visualize success and are inspired to play harder; they have a more familiar routine at home which adds to their confidence; or, because they play where they practice, they know what to expect which adds to better execution. Whatever the reasons, the numbers are clear: home teams play harder, better, and win more often.

What should this mean to we who play on the business field? How can we play more games at home ensuring a better winning record? Can we schedule our own home games?

The answer, as in most great truths, is simple: we must play toward our strengths and away from our weaknesses. We must do more of that at which we excel and spend less time floundering. But can we actually change how we do what we do? And how much can we really control? Yes, and to a greater extent than you realize.

Here are some examples. If we are a morning person, do we rise early to perform most of our creative tasks before noon? If we are great at concepts but have trouble getting them down in writing, do we ask an associate or partner gifted in that area to help? If we are prone to nervousness when in front of a group (which most of us are), do we prepare such that our confidence is built? If we are in a job or company that is unfulfilling, do we summon the strength to make a career change?

You see, we tend to complain and worry rather than change the venue. Instead, we need to take an honest inventory of what we do, from best to worst, then maximize our exposure to the best, and minimize the worst. How good can you be when you are doing something you are good at and love to do? We could debate forever on whcih comes first, loving it or doing it well, but all could agree that one supports the other.

Winning ideas are: 1) Take inventory of your strengths and weaknesses 2) Love what you do, or have the courage to change 3) Make adjustments to both what you do and how you do it 4) Stay disciplined; it takes time 5) Evaluate your progress and make necessary changes.

Next time we'll look at changing outcomes of all too familiar patterns. As always, your comments are welcome.

*This exerpt is from a speech that has been given to several groups, and can be presented to your organization.