The Boggling Steps to Success

I have an addiction. 

I can’t post. 

I mean, STOP. I can’t S-T-O-P. 

Or is it SPOT? TOPS. OPTS. POTS. AGGHHH!!!

Yes. I’m addicted to a word scramble game. A Boggle for a new generation. I’ve become a slave to making as many words as I can out of a given collection of letters. I should really delete the app.

Why am I attracted to this game? Is it the problem solving? The mild satisfaction of completing a rewardless puzzle? The minor win when I spin snip to pins?

Fact is, I’m drawn to language. I could just as easily play Candy Crush. But I don’t have a sweet tooth.

I believe we are all inclined towards certain things. We can embrace these inclinations, or, as often happens, push against them, assuming they may not lead anywhere because they seem too obvious. Maybe I’m just speaking about myself.

Granted, my little word game won’t directly push my creative business forward. But my reminder and recognition of what I’m inclined towards — what I’m best at — gave me a boost today.

I like writing. I like flipping words around to make something new. And, on the precipice of self-congratulation, I think I’m pretty good at it. But I don’t always allow myself the time to do it.

There is a scene from the acclaimed TV series Ted Lasso that sticks out to me on this idea. In the scene, Ted Lasso, an affable American football coach who has found himself in the unlikely position of head coaching an English Premier League football club, is speaking with a curmudgeonly (and perfectly named) British sports journalist, Trent Crimm.

Lasso, in his naïve wisdom, confronts Crimm when the latter accuses Lasso of being irresponsible with his ham-handed leadership that will likely hurl the top tier team into the gutter.

“Trent, what do you love?” asks Ted. “Is it writing?”

“Uh, yes,” Trent humbly replies.

“Well, good, cuz you’re darn good at it.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” continues Ted, “Me? I love coaching….For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves, on and off the field. And it ain’t always easy, Trent. But neither is growing up without someone believing in you.”

[SPOILER ALERT] I am not an English Premier League football club. If that were the case, winning and losing would matter a whole lot more, but hear me out. 

My point is this: in creative fields we often aim for big wins. Major successes. But our job isn’t really like that. More often than not, any win, big or small, comes from vast hours of work. There isn’t a buzzer-beater goal that seals the deal. A big win comes from an accumulation of tiny steps.

Rarely does success come in the form of trophies (no matter how many award-winning agencies tell you it does). A win is born when you believe that as long as you are moving forward — and being the best version of yourself — you are succeeding. And you are.

So strap on your boots, get out there, and start taking some tiny pests. I mean, steps.