|
Each month, Don Yaeger, a four-time New York Times best-selling author and award-winning motivational speaker, shares one of his 16 Characteristics of Greatness through the eyes of a great winner from the world of sports. At the end of the e-newsletter, find tips on how to apply this winning characteristic to your life. |
It's Not Just About the Benjamins...
They don't just play for the money.
|
|
As
any baseball player, statistician, or fan will tell you, it's no small feat to
pitch a no-hitter and it's even rarer to pitch a perfect game.
 Yet,
amazingly, Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies did both those things this
season. On May 29, he threw only the 20th perfect game in MLB
history and just last week, on October 6, he became only the second pitcher
ever to throw a no-hitter in the post-season, leading Philadelphia past
Cincinnati in the National League Divisional Series.
With
credits like that, it would be easy to assume that Halladay is near the top of
the league's salary chart. But in reality, he actually took a pay CUT for
the 2010 season in order to leave the Toronto Blue Jays to play for the
Phillies.
In
the four years prior to his move, Halladay averaged 233 innings pitched (the
highest in all of Major League Baseball) while toiling in relative obscurity for
the Blue Jays. His fastball and cutter were considered among the best as
well, and most experts ranked him as one of the top three or four pitchers in
the league. In short, Halladay was a stand-out player at a crucial
position, which meant he could have commanded just about any salary he
wanted.
But
what he wanted more than money was to play for a team with enough talent around
 him to compete at a higher level, and the choice he made shocked the baseball
world.
As
one journalist wrote following Halladay's decision to sign a
contract with the Phillies:
Halladay's
contract is so far removed from his market value that it looks like an error.
Remember, he had to approve not only the contract, but the trade to the
Phillies that precipitated it. He made the choice that he wanted to be with the
Phillies so much-and wanted to be with them immediately so much-that it was
worth it to him to leave $60 million, $80 million, maybe $100 million on the table.
 Clearly,
Halladay recognized that there was something more important than money at stake, and his decision seems to have paid off for him, even if the checks were
smaller. As the Phillies attempt to play in their third straight World
Series this fall, it is clear that some things are just worth more than a fat
salary -- like surrounding yourself with the best group of people you can.
Even
after his remarkable no-hitter earlier this month, Halladay celebrated the work
of his team and their shared goal more than he did his own achievement:
"It's just one of those special things I think you'll always
remember. But the best part about it is the playoffs take priority. It's
pretty neat for me to be able to go out and win a game like that and know
there's more to come for us and more to accomplish."
Tips from
the Great Ones
Halladay
had to make a tough decision: Would he rather be the highest-paid player
on a mediocre roster, or would he rather be part of the best team he
could? What decision would you have made in his position? 
Almost
everyone likes being a star; it's nice to feel like the most valuable member of
a team. But the Great Ones understand that their opportunity for success
is more likely the stronger the team is, and the team is made stronger when all
the members are exceptional. Instead of demanding the highest salary they
can, many Great winners are willing to accept a little less so that the
resources can be used to recruit and retain other talented teammates.
Are
you a star player on your team? What would you be willing to sacrifice in
order to attract or hang on to some of the talented people around you, who make
your team stronger or your workplace more enjoyable?
Especially
in the current economic climate, many companies are facing the uncomfortable
decision of either cutting salaries or cutting positions. Would you give
up a few perks, or take a few days of unpaid vacation in order to free up those
resources so that your teammates could keep their jobs?
 Take a page out of Roy Halladay's playbook and focus
more on the quality of your team than your personal compensation and you might be amazed at what records you might break! It
takes a lot of people to run a company, complete a project, or serve a
customer. Think about who plays a part of your success each day and what
you can do to help your team achieve Greatness together.
Do you know a story of true Greatness from your
community? I'd love to hear it! Please write to don@donyaeger.com to share it.
|
|
Do you know of an upcoming event where Don may be a good fit? Find out more here!
Have you seen an example of Greatness you'd like to share with Don? Email him at don@donyaeger.com |
|
|
|
| Happy 100th Birthday Coach John Wooden!
We Miss You!
|
 |
|
16 Consistent Characteristics of Greatness |
|
HOW THEY THINK
1. It's Personal - They hate to lose more than they love to win.
2. Rubbing Elbows - They understand the value of association.
3. Believe - They have faith in a higher power.
4. Contagious Enthusiasm - They are positive thinkers... They are enthusiastic... and that enthusiasm rubs off.
HOW THEY PREPARE
5. Hope For the Best, But... - They prepare for all possibilities before they step on the field.
6. What Off-Season? - They are always working towards the next game... The goal is what's ahead, and there's always something ahead.
7. Visualize Victory - They see victory before the game begins
8. Inner Fire - They use adversity as fuel.
HOW THEY WORK
9. Ice In Their Veins - They are risk-takers and don't fear making a mistake.
10. When All Else Fails - They know how - and when - to adjust their game plan.
11. Ultimate Teammate - They will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win.
12. Not Just About the Benjamins - They don't play just for the money.
HOW THEY LIVE
13. Do Unto Others - They know character is defined by how they treat those who cannot help them.
14. When No One is Watching - They are comfortable in the mirror... they live their life with integrity.
15. When Everyone Is Watching - They embrace the idea of being a role model.
16. Records Are Made to Be Broken - They know their legacy isn't what they did on the field. They are well-rounded. |
|
If this email was forwarded to you, sign up to receive future newletters here! |
|
| |
|
|
|
