Musings at Altitude

My wife is a fan of tennis, primarily during the major championships.  This week is the championship week of the Australian Open, and during our prime time we get to see the afternoon matches live from Melbourne.

Last night, her favorite player was on the court, Andy Roddick.  When the match began, the temperature at court level was 123 degrees, and by the second set, it was up to 130 degrees.  In the first set, both Andy Roddick and his opponent, Novak Djokovic were fresh, having long volleys and both quickly jumping on drop shots and passing shots.  Appropriately, that first set went to a tie breaker with Djokovic the winner. 

At the start of the second set, Roddick was still racing to the ball and hammering away at his opponent.  But after the first game, Djokovic hit a wall.  While Roddick continued to play at a feverish pace with great quickness and sustained strength, Djokovic began a defensive strategy of seeking quick points, attempting winners on every stroke, and lingering in the little shade that was available on the back sides of the courts.

After another hour in the blazing sun, Djokovic called the medics and the trainers over, got iced down, popped some pills, ate some bananas, and drank lots of fluid.  As Djokovic attempted any treatment possible to ease the escalating affects of the heat, Roddick stared at Djokovik, obviously the fitter of the two.  For about 15 minutes, Djokovic sought to ease the affects of the temperature and the aggressive play of Roddick, and when Djokovik’s treatment was complete, Roddick sprinted by his opponent who was still in the chair, clearly indicating his willingness to take this match to the bitter end. 

By the fourth set, Djokovik retired from the match, worn out by the heat and by his opponent.

Both life and business are about endurance.  During the cool times of a match or the easy times in business, many folks can “stay on the court” and respond to the actions of their opponents without suffering severe body affects.  But when the temperatures rise, the intensity peaks, and the body and mind need to respond to adversity coming from every direction, only the fit survive.

Endurance is a big part of sport, but it may be an even bigger part of life and business.  I cherish the easy times for sure.  But I find out who I am and how good my team really is during the tough times.  With the economic conditions of today, many businesses are fighting for survival; they are testing their endurance in the oppressive assault of decreased customer billings and increased costs.  Those businesses that have focused on endurance and not just sprints are much better prepared for this current climate, but the increasing heat on the business is affecting us all.

Many businesses have already “retired” during the preliminary matches leading up to this “championship week”.  As we approach “bottom” in this economic decline, we will soon find out who is still on the court and who has the strength and endurance to overcome the heat (and their competitors) and win this brutal business match.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  Paul had the ultimate endurance, facing persecution and oppression and ultimately winning the greatest prize of all.

In business and in life, today, we too are facing great challenges and great challengers.  When I look back on this time in my life, I hope I too can say, “I fought the good fight; I finished the race; I kept the faith.”

That’s endurance.  That’s overcoming adversity.  That’s claiming the prize.