I have been a soccer player for much of my life. When I was little I used to swarm the ball with the rest of the kiddos. Eventually I evolved into a competent player that played at the Metro level. I was content with that, and never attempted to push my soccer career past that level (unlike one of my good friends Britt who now has an Olympic medal in her trophy case – so proud of you girl!).

Now at 30, I play on a fun, co-Ed team with a bunch of friends who for the most part have known one another for a good 15 years or so. It’s not super competitive, but a great excuse to get together once a week, catch up and run around and get some exercise.

Now having been coached as part of a team over the years I’ve heard more times than I can count to WANT the ball. Another classic: don’t stand and wait for the ball, go to it! Or another good one…move to create space so there’s room for a pass and to create opportunity.

Last night at our game I felt hungrier than other nights. I wanted the ball. This had me moving and going to it, and while I didn’t score, I did get chances/opportunities (if only I could lean over the ball when I shoot it might actually go in the net!)

The most remarkable thing about wanting the ball and going after it is that it’s almost like another part of the brain kicks in. All of a sudden I’m just doing… I’ve stopped thinking… I just have my eye on the ball and I’m going after it full tilt. It’s this utter feeling of bliss, determination, but also ease. All of the sudden I’m open, there’s opportunity, and things are happening!

So this morning as I was walking to the bus, it completely hit me like a sack of kittens that this is what it feels like when you want something in business too. If you stand still, watching the play, your opportunities will move around you and you’ll miss your chance. But if you really tap into your hunger, that desire, that want, what you’re capable of becomes other-worldly, and automatic. People see your desire and want to make the pass. Sometimes you score, and sometimes you don’t, but maybe you assist someone else in their wins instead. But how does it feel? To me, the feeling of wanting it feels like fluidity, determination, and a dash of grit.

So go forth. Dig deep, and ask yourself how bad do you really want it? Are you willing to go after it? And how does it FEEL? Or are you on the sidelines waiting for the coach (ie: that’s you too!) to put you in the game? I’d love to hear from you. Please let me know in the comments below.