What Are The Odds?
I love the NFL. Currently, we are sandwiched between two weekends of 12 hours (or MORE!) of NFL football spread over both Saturday and Sunday.
Ahh, Heaven.
I’ve always enjoyed this game, and while I never played organized football as a kid, (Mom thought it was too dangerous) I dreamed of playing in the NFL. Sure I played pick up games in the neighborhood, and was able to convince my parents that flag football was safe enough to play, but I never got a chance to put on pads to pound any receivers who attempted to come across the middle. (Not in MY HOUSE) While I was too small to be a lineman, I was well suited to be a defensive back.
I recently looked up the odds in making it the NFL. As a Network Marketer, you endure critics and naysayers with extremely limiting beliefs who always point to odds. For most critics there is a real fascination and an incredible amount of attention on this illusion of the slim chance anyone has in making it in this industry. (We’ve heard of failure rates as high as 99%, while documentation concerning YTB states otherwise.) Odds can also be used as tool used to protect those we care about, or if it’s a personal shortcoming, a stat that makes us feel “average”.
Personally, I think odds are for suckers and excuse makers. Only to be pointed out to make ourselves and others feel better about our surroundings when our dreams, aspirations, and goals come up short.
I’ve often asked myself why be average? Life just seems too short, and there is too much out there to experience to settle for average. Be that as it may, as a society, we’re comfortable with “average” I guess because it makes us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.
When you think about the odds in making it in the NFL, there are 32 teams with 53 on the roster and 22 “starters” each, which makes 1696 total, but also means only 704 of the “lucky ones” will be playing a game they love at the professional level during the short 16 week season, and only 1 team of 32 professional teams will be able to claim themselves as “Champions” at the end of the year.
If someone wasn’t drafted out of college to come to the NFL and remained undrafted, you would think there would be a considerable amount of people who would point to those odds to help them feel better. Heck, I could even justify it with odds of 1 in 100,000, and that’s only includes the college ranks.
If you follow the NFL like I do however, there are plenty who are undrafted college players who sign as “free agents” and make the cut to play in the NFL. Willie Parker was one, and so was James Harrison. “Fast Willie” made a mark for himself during Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl run, and now holds a Super Bowl record for the longest touchdown run from scrimmage. (75 yards)
James Harrison however, had a slightly rougher road to travel. Not only was he undrafted, but he was cut three times, (twice by Pittsburgh and once by Baltimore) before he made the Steeler roster last year. I’m wondering how many times he was told after being undrafted combined with being cut, three times no less, that the “odds” were not in his favor and it’s okay to be “average” when it comes to NOT making it in the NFL.
Harisson did have one claim to fame during his stints with the Steelers and the Ravens which was documented back in 2005 when he slammed an out of control Cleveland fan to the turf, WWF style no less, during a Christmas weekend game at Heinz Field. (News coverage and video can be found here.) Not exactly what you want to be known for to document an illustrious carrier in the NFL.
But Harrison, like so many others with dreams and goals, was a stubborn man. Deep down inside, there was something driving him to move forward with his dream. He didn’t care about “odds” and he certainly didn’t want to settle for “average”. Harrison was determined to make it in the NFL.
Opportunity came knocking before the 2007 season after first round starter Joey Porter moved his $5 Million contract with his big and boisterous mouth, (which coincidentally was backed up with big and boisterious plays) to Miami. Many, including me didn’t understand the move in letting someone like Porter go, but in defense of Steelers Personnel Directors, Pittsburgh has a very long lineage outstanding linebackers since the early 70′s when Hall Of Fame linebackers named Ham and Lambert wreaked havoc for opposing teams. (Both Lambert and Harrison were from Kent State.) Harrision was re-signed by the Steelers in 2007 as an afterthought one week before training camp due to Clark Haggans , Porter’s tagged replacement for the season had broken his hand.
It’s not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You have to be the right person in the right place at the right time.
~ T. Harv Eker
What if Harrison wasn’t working out before the season? What if he feared being cut again? What if he lost his dream?
What may shock some is that Harrison still believed he could contribute. He also had some lofty goals. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that he had a goal of 12 sacks before the 2007 season started. He recorded 8.5 sacks in 2007 and doubled that to 16 sacks for 2008, the most in one season by any Steelers Linebacker, and he also leads the NFL for all Linebackers over the last two years with 24 total sacks.
During the 2007 season Harrison took full advantage of his opportunity. I still remember a Monday night game against Balitmore last year when Harrison had 10 tackles, caused 3 forces fumbles, had 3.5 sacks, and added an interception for good measure.
Joey who?
That’s what we’re now saying after his second full season as a starter in this League of incredible odds. Why, because he never gave up, he never doubted, he never waiverd from his belief that he could be something in the NFL. Today James Harrison is going to his 2nd straight Pro Bowl, named the Steelers MVP by his own team for the second straight year, and on Monday, he was named the NFL’s 1st Undrafted Defensive Player of the Year.
And some will still ask…What are the odds?
There are obsitles in everything we do in life. There are times when they appear to be outside forces that are insurmountable and other times when they, quite frankly are nothing more than self imposed. (Which Harisson readily admits in this New York Times Article.) The only thing really stopping you (or anyone for that matter) is a mear 7 inches that fit oddly enough between your own ears.
The next time someone tells you about odds, and you have a dream, a desire to dare something worthy, think about this too small, too slow, undrafted, and unwanted Linebacker who defied the odds and not only made it in the NFL, but made it in a big way.
For you, it might be time to stop hiding out, and start stepping outside the comfort of being “average” and start acting like an MVP. It’s the only way you can be in the right place at the right time, AND be the right person at the right time.
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Tags: Critics, James Harrison, Limiting Beleifs, Monday Night Football, NFL, NFL Playoffs, Overcoming Obisticles, Pittsburgh Steelers
January 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
This is sort of an odd analogy today.
In the game of football, there are thousands of young men who have been in training for the day to come to step out onto the field in regulation play. There first level of success is playing in High School, as they progress and weed out talent the second level of achievement comes with College ball (my preference to watch), and finally third is the ultimate level the pro level. Now there indeed are many with the talent to play in the pro level that leave the game after college and pursue other interests. Some of my business acquaintances have played a year or two at the pro level and then left the game.
One thing you have completely omitted in your analogy of “success” is 99.9% of these young men have been in training, education for the game and have a drive to succeed, some since the age of 6 years when they put on those pony pads.
Any common person understands one’s level of success is much greater by hard work, determination, experience and educating one’s self. I think you would agree with that 100%.
As a fan of the Steelers, you surly would not want to see a bunch of inexperienced players on the field on any given Sunday. Would you lose interest, of course you would over time. Everyone wants to see the talent that far exceeds those of average ability; no one wants to watch losers. Besides no one wants to see anyone harmed by injury because they are unprepared & untrained. The same holds ture for someone wanting to hire the best attorney possible when they are wronged.
Since you have compared the game with network marketing lets think about that.
How serious of a Steelers fan would you be if the owners of the Steelers’s decided to sell out there positions in the same fashion a network marketing company does? You say you love the game and would love to put on the pads. I believe that you have passion for the game as a fan. I’ve put on a pad or two at different levels of the game into my 20’s. There is a big difference from a spectator point of view and what actually happens on the field. There is allot of discipline on the field in the stands however is a different story. How long would you be a Steelers fan if the Steelers decided to play by mlm rules when the other teams in the league base there positions off experience, talent, understanding the game, dedication and education?
Let’s say the Steelers put there team together by giving anyone the opportunity to play just like a network marketer. All that would be required is to pay a monthly fee to the owners which provides you a play book and rules along with some video conferencing during the week with the coach. All physical training would be done by you unless you elected to pay for it through the owners. In order to find your way to that starting position all you need to do to become successful at bringing in others to build a successful down line. Now lets say you are one of the few who made it to a starting position you’ve strapped up the laces and put on those protective pads, today is game day. Have you achieved success? Not really now you come face to face with those who have the talent, experience and dedicated their life to the game. You see the game just begins when you have earned the right to walk on the field, not before.
In thinking of your message today as I wrote this you have been more accurate then what I first thought. For the thousands growing up and playing in the sandlots and at different levels who want to play the game only a finite few actually walk onto the field who achived success. That is something to really think about. There is a close tie between percentages of success in the NFL & monetary success in an MLM.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Lisa;
I’m sorry that you were unable to get past your own obsession about Network Marketing which prohibited you from recognizing the message given in this post.
But thank you for being the shining example of all critics I spoke about, and your fascination and an incredible amount of attention on your illusions concerning Network Marketing.
The NFL as an MLM is quite good!!
We as dreamers however should put your illusions in it’s place, by simply responding with, “Thanks for sharing” and recognize the universal traits everyone should obtain in order to be successful, no matter what goals or dreams you have in life.
PS – Go rent the movie “Invincible” and tell me that an average Joe with no experience can’t make it in the NFL.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
LOL – First my name is not Lisa, not sure where your getting that.
Second – I have no obsession about Network Marketing either way, but I did find it amusing your compairson of network marketing with some of the most experienced dedicated individuals playing the game.
Third – I already know about Papale, he is not an average Joe that had no experience, that was the Hollywood version of Vince and not his real life.
Papale played football for the Philadelphia Bell world football league prior to his tryout with the Eagles. If your a fan you remember the World League. Playing for the Bell is what earned him a private invitation and private workout with Vermeil. He also played football in High School and he lettered in Football, Track and Basketball. He then went on to St. Joe’s College on a track scholarship. That is definately not an average Joe with no experience.
He was very experienced and had a better then average training before he ever set foot on that eagles field the very first day.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
As you live in the same city as Lisa, I put two and two together.
Look, if you’d like to argue about this with your own fears and illusion about Network Marketing be my guest.
The message that appears to escape you, is that no matter who you are, no matter what you do, and no matter what your dreams and aspirations are, you need to have the proper mindset and dedication to accomplish it.
Given enough time, and being the right person at the right time you can do anything.
And yes, that includes, but is certainly not limited to Network Marketing. (Although, that appears to be somewhat of an issue for you.) Part of the reason I’m successful in this industry is that my mind works more like a “James Harrison” than it does some “spectator” who knows it all.
But thanks for sharing.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Please do not be condescending with your remarks I am being nothing but professional with you in this discussion.
In addition, let us not take the discussion off topic. Focus on the topic you blogged about “success/achievements” and not the madness of comparing the MLM model and traditional business. As I said previously, I do not really care about the MLM model. Personally, I do not consider the model a threat to my companies in any shape.
Your comment:
I have not denied your comments that hard work pays off, I agree with that fully. What I have said is none of those folks you talk about in the original writing walked onto a field with no advance training or experiences. Each one had trained and played previously. That is where we differ. Persistence does pay off many times, as is the case for James Harrison. His success was not without hard work, education and training however.
I agree with you 100%, anything is possible; someone will win America’s Game even though the odds are 1:195,249,054.00. Last evening 813,663 players won 8.3 million in prizes, averaging out the prize money per winner is approx. $10.20, but some indeed won more then others. The thing is their where many more losers then winners.
You have said “I’m successful in this industry” what does that really mean to anyone besides you. Some poor homeless sole claims success each day they receive a hot meal.
When we started our first business over twenty years ago an old wise fellow said to me, whatever you do, do not buy yourself a job. If your business after three years is doing nothing but earning you a meager salary, get out. The liability vs. return is to great.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Sorry, made a type – the following is the corrected placement.
Your comment: You have said “I’m successful in this industry” what does that really mean to anyone besides you. Some poor homeless sole claims success each day they receive a hot meal.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
You are welcome to believe what ever make you feel comfortable. But thank you for cementing my point about critics and odds.
PS – Maybe you should start your own blog to promote your views? I can assure you, there is someone out there that will listen.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:33 am
For some reason, there is a lack of attention here and again you are going off topic. Your topic was achieving individual success; I am not criticizing your chosen method in any given industry. I am however somewhat confused on your comparisons many times since I have stumbled onto this blog.
For the record, I also do not consider myself a critic of your profession, more of a realist.
Since you seem to relate well to football, this Sunday the Steelers play San Diego, being an old Steelers fan myself, I hope they do well both Steelers and the Eagles.
When the Steelers step onto the field Sunday no matter what they do to prepare they only have a 50% chance of success, they can never increase those odds unless the other team does not walk on the field. On an individual level, a player could have the best game of their life and still come up short if the team does not play there best, isn’t that so? Individual odds of success are dependent on 53 other teammates. Most important your day actually rests on the coaches shoulders and how they prepared for the game.
Moving onto the profession of Network Marketing, one success is not individual at all is it. In order for one to be successful in this endeavor, ones success requires a multitude of high performers in order for the “individual” to reach any level of success. This is why others in this profession attack those who have under-performed they are called losers because they pull each individual down with them. Let me repeat here, I’m not criticizing the profession, just pointing out this profession is not based on individual achievement alone as is masterfully pointed out in various forums to draw individuals into the program.
When it come right down to the details there is not much different between an Employer/Employee relationship and a Network-Marketing/Individual set-up. Neither individual actually controls their destiny. In Netwark-Marketing the upper management of the program ultimately controls each individual direction. This is no different then upper management with a corporation.
If one has the will, in order for one to actually control there destiny, they need to stop cuddling a mother’s breast and actually step-out and achieve success individually. That is the only time the individual controls there level of success and can increase there odds to financial freedom.
January 9th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
There is a lack of attention because your views and perception on how this world operates no longer holds value for me.
I was taught from a very early age to believe what you are currently promoting. After what I have experienced the last several years, there has been an awakening that has taught me that the world as you currently see it; is nothing more than an illusion.
If you want me to suddenly toss out my experience and adapt my thinking and belief system for yours, I’m sorry, but I’ve been there, done that, and even have the t-shirt. Life is much more harmonious in it’s current form.
Please understand however, that if YOUR HAPPY with limits, chances, and odds, you’re welcome to continue, as it makes little difference in controlling or factoring into my life.
Thanks for sharing.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Your comment: There is a lack of attention because your views and perception on how this world operates no longer holds value for me.
This is where you are wrong; I have achieved critical mass, something you are still trying to grasp. The only limits and boundaries placed on me are by my choosing and my own limitations. I have stepped out of the box years ago.
Your comment: I was taught from a very early age to believe what you are currently promoting. After what I have experienced the last several years, there has been an awakening that has taught me that the world as you currently see it; is nothing more than an illusion.
You have not awakened if the fruit of your labor are benefiting another more then it does you. Believe in yourself and the golden ring is within grasp.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
It sounds as if you have experienced everything there is in life.
Congratulations.
January 10th, 2009 at 9:27 am
This will be my last response on this topic.
Doug – None of us will ever experience everything life offers, it is impossible as it is endless.
Each response from you has been demeaning & condescending. I never spoke badly of the path you have chosen and I truly find your responses odd to say the least fore you never focused back on the topic you had written. Very odd!
I wish you success and happiness in whatever you do.
ps – It should be a good game tomorrow, weather advantage – Steelers!
January 10th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Thank you.