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Every now and then I like to deviate from my typical missives about personal finance and just provide some good ol’ fashioned advice. The motivation for such pieces often comes about from personal interactions with people during my work week.
I must admit that few things get my Italian up than when someone disrespects my time. I was taught from a young age to operate on what is known as Lombardi Time. Vince Lombardi was a legendary NFL football coach (real football, not the round ball with freckles) who is remembered most for the many lessons that he instilled in his players. One such lesson was that if you had a 5 o'clock meeting, you arrived fully prepared at 4:45. Fifteen minutes early. That fifteen minutes is known as “Lombardi time.” His teams were legendary for always being ready to play and getting off to a quick start against their opponents.
“If you are 5 minutes early you are already 10 minutes late.” – Vince Lombardi
Go ahead. Roll your eyes and disagree but Lombardi was a winner. As Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone puts it, “Boy you are either winning and learning, or you’re losing.”
Showing up gives you a 50% chance of winning. The rest has to do with how well you prepared before you showed up and whether you’ve brought your “A-game.”
Many years ago, when I started my career at IBM the phrase “show up…on time…dressed play…every day”, was repeated to me by every manager that I respected. This simple phrase emphasizes the importance of being punctual and well-prepared. It is commonly used in sports and other competitive activities, but it can also apply to other areas of life, such as work or school.
"Show up" means to arrive at a designated place or event physically present and ready to participate.
"On time" means arriving at the designated time which in my life is 15 minutes early. Being punctual shows that you respect the time of others and demonstrates reliability.
"Dressed to play" has less to do with wearing appropriate clothing and gear for the activity than it does to be mentally prepared.
Former IBM executive George Conrades put it best, “Show up … on time … dressed to play. This means you’ve done your homework and worked hard at getting the facts. That you are eager to pursue common ground, to get things done together with infectious energy, passion, courage, and confidence. Show up, on time, dressed to play. That’s all that’s expected of you, whatever you exist to be.”
It takes practice to do this well. Excellence is a habit so start building it early. Striving for excellence puts you on the winning path. It doesn’t guarantee success. The path is bumpy and there are often failures, but this is where learning comes into play. The alternate path leads to mediocrity at best.
If I'm supposed to the there at 2:00 pm - - - and along the way I run out of gas, have 5 flat tires, am beaten/robbed, attacked by bears . . . . . I will be there at 1:55 pm
⚡️Just the $tart ⚡️