How to Be an Online Hall-of-Famer (It’s Easier than You Think…)

My son Ben plays Little League. He loves the game, but like all the boys on his team, he puts a lot of pressure on himself to perform really well every time he takes the field, both on offense and defense.

I understand this desire. It’s universal for anyone who wants to succeed in what he or she loves to do. Those of us following our passions as entrepreneurs both online and offline know this feeling well.

The challenges we face each day in our online worlds are no different than the challenges Ben and baseball players all over the globe face every time they take the field: some days we will hit 4 for 4 and knock in a bunch of runs. Other days, we will strike out every time we step up to the plate and bobble the ball anytime it comes our way in the field.

It’s all part of playing the game. And it’s all okay.

Since opening day, I’ve been at every one of his games, watching him and his teammates develop their skills and tap into their talents as hitters, pitchers, outfielders, and infielders. I see in their darling little faces reflections of some of my favorite Big Leaguers over the years: Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski, Cal Ripken, Kevin Youklis, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki…men who were once little guys on school playing fields just like Ben and his team, dreaming of making it to “The Show” one day.

Most days as I’m working toward my goals, I feel like a Little Leaguer still learning the ropes, still figuring out what all the signs and plays mean. I look to some of the online Hall-of-Famers, people like Jonathan Budd and Mike Dillard, and think, “Someday…”

Which is what led me to shoot this short video last night before heading out to Ben’s game. The subject of making it big online has been on my mind a lot lately and like lots of people who are new and trying to figure this whole thing out, I don’t always remember to celebrate the little victories…

You don’t have to bat 1000 to win big...

I was inspired to share that one stat about batting averages because of all the incredible things about baseball, one of the most amazing to me is how little it actually takes to be counted among the Greats.

Consider these statistics about lifetime batting averages for three incredible players from different eras:

Babe Ruth = .342
Derek Jeter= .316
Jackie Robinson=.311

What these numbers mean (for anyone who isn’t familiar with baseball) is that Babe Ruth averaged reaching base 3.4 times out of every 10 times he stepped up to bat. Robinson, 3.1 times. And the Yankees current captain, Mr. Derek Jeter: 3.6 times out of ten does he reach base.

Indeed, in baseball, you can be OUT seven times out of ten and STILL make millions and millions of dollars a year AND be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame!

Same can be said for us entrepreneurs. Out of 10 attempts to get something right, whether it’s a blog post or a PPC campaign or a video…we can strike out 7 of those 10 times and STILL see great results. It’s so important to remember that. Truly.

Even the best of the best experience slumps every now and again, but one thing is for sure: the slumps never last. If we commit to stepping up to bat day after day no matter what, the law of averages is on our side.

It’s like I tell Ben every time he steps up to the plate: “Just make contact, kiddo. That’s all you gotta do.”

Step up to the plate enough times and make contact. Don’t be afraid to swing the bat. Even if you strike out, you still took action. And at the end of the day, focused action is what matters most of all.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some peanuts and Cracker Jacks right about now! 🙂

Batter Up!