You're Being Watched... 👀 👀

"I always felt that I couldn’t take a day off because there’s always someone out there who may have never seen me play before. If I’m not running hard to first base, I’m doing that fan a disservice." – Derek Jeter

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you’re always being watched. Not in some creepy, stalker way...(well maybe by the government)... but in the way people observe you, even when you aren't realizing it. They notice how you show up, how you handle things, the way you talk to people. It’s like an imaginary camera is always rolling, and you’re the main character everyday.

This hit me the other day when I was hanging out with my kids. I said something to someone else... honestly, can’t even remember what it was... and my oldest daughter just fires it right back at me, word for word... like a freakin parrot. It wasn’t anything bad or philosophical, and that’s not the point. The point is... she’s watching me... Every word, every action... it’s all being absorbed. She’s learning how to move through life based on how I move through mine. It’s funny because we know that... right? But it’s so easy for that knowledge to slip away from your active conciousness.

And this doesn’t stop with just my kids. Around 12 years ago, I worked with this kid named Grayson, fresh out of high school. He was training with me for a bit... didn’t think too much about it at the time. Then years later, he reached out, and what he said stuck with me. He told me, “I watched how you worked. You probably didn’t notice, but it showed me what it means to be dedicated... to never coast.”

And I’m sitting there, reading that... like, really? I wasn’t some big deal back then... 25 year old John was nothing to write home about... I was just trying to figure things out like everyone else. But it made me realize something... people are always observing... always. You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to lead, or when someone might be paying attention. It doesn’t work like that. We all have eyes on us... every single day. Whether we know it or not. People are watching your mistakes, and more importantly how you respond to them. They are watching your speech and how you talk. The things you do and say on social media.... Yea... thats a big one. Everything is seen... 👀 👀 👀       

Think of someone who you idolized one day. Not the rich & famous. The genuine nobodies whom you observed that have made a substantial impact on you. Everyone has someone. It's crazy to think that you are that someone to somebody.

We’re all leaders in some way. It’s not just the title you hold....It’s how you live your life. Whether it’s your kids... your team... or even random people you pass by in your day-to-day. You’re always teaching, always showing others how to navigate the world even when you’re not trying to. And yeah, there’s no clocking in and out... it's 24/7. No Days Off.

You’ve gotta be intentional. Live right... show up fully... and always run hard to first base. You never know who’s watching. But I can tell you this... someone out there is. And how you live... how you carry yourself... that might be the thing that changes the way they see the world. So. be. worth. watching.

Go Yankees!

-Cheers

John