My oldest daughter is turning 16 this summer. I love watching her grow into the young lady she is becoming. As many of you who have teenagers know, watching their choices of self expression is also very beautiful. It can be challenging at times, but watching their creative spirits blossom on the journey of teenagehood is certainly interesting.
One day in her room I saw a poster of musical artist Pitbull, (see the picture below). I’m a fan of Pitbull. I like his energy and his music. I also enjoy the stories I’ve heard of his work ethic and how he runs his business. I’ve heard him refer to himself as Mr. Worldwide multiple times in both his speech and in his music.
As I looked at the quote on the wall and said the words out loud, “been there,done that”, immediately my mind went to: if you’ve been there and done that, then you have to go there and do this. There’s so much out there to do and accomplish and sometimes our fears hold us back. As my friend Dr. Gilbert says often on the hotline “it’s the start that stops most people.” If Pitbull has been there and done that he sure has gone there and done this. It’s hard the first time going through these things.
In my latest book I share a lot of firsts. I talk about when I officiated for the first time at the Division I level. My first time at Madison Square Garden, my first time at Duke University, my first time ejecting a coach, and my first NCAA in IT game. All of these were such grand experiences for me and I was so proud looking back at all of them that I had been there and done that. Maybe in those moments going through them was challenging and I was certainly nervous. All of that is normal, and no one said it would be easy.
As we travel on this leadership journey together, I continue to challenge you to go there and do that, whatever that may be in your life. When you look back, it’s the things that we didn’t do most times that brings us regret. Go out there and do it!
Next time you find yourself jamming to some Pitbull, think about that concept that he’s been there and done that. That’s a whole lot of doing, and a whole lot of experience. If I can help you in any way on your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out @andrewmarotta21 on Twitter. Keep rolling friends!
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Hi friends, the audible version of Tales from the Hardwood was just released. Check it out/share with a friend here.
#LeadershipSparks: Don’t Let Decay Happen
Quote: “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” —General George Patton
