Less than a Minute Life Lesson-2407 Character and Competency

Life Lessons from Local Cricket

Recently when I was crossing the area where I used to play Cricket with my friends during my school days, I Just stood for a while to feel those good olden days. Here are some memories and lessons that are associated with those days. 

1-Getting a Pitch: We need to start early to get a pitch, though the ground was big which was good enough to accommodate many teams, still we need to start early to get a good pitch and a clean outfield. 

Lesson-1-Early bird catches the Prey

2-Setting a pitch: We need to lay the stumps, which was not easy during summer, hence we need to wet the ground, the only option of wetting was to ask the kids over there to take a leak (I can understand your reaction, sorry for being explicit) After that we need to measure the distance, align the stumps with the runner stump and set the crease 

Lesson-2- There are solutions out there, we need to unzip our mind (don’t abuse me)

3-Taking a decision -Once both the team assembles, we used to go for the toss and we need to decide either bat or bowl, after having a brief discussion with our expert team members we take a collective decision. 

Lesson-3- Collective decision improves ownership

4-Setting the field and responsibilities: Once we decide to bowl, we used to assign our kit and scoring activities to our substitutes. After that the field is set based on individual strengths & weakness. 

Lesson-4-Assign the right man for the right Job

5-Review: After a few overs the team members meet together and keep sharing their observation about the batsman’s weakness and educates the blower to bowl accordingly 

Lesson-5-Share the knowledge and give feedback for instant improvement

6-Water Break: We were born in the times where mineral water or Water cans was not available, we all walk towards a water pump to quench our thirst. When one person pumps the other person drinks it with his hand and we take turns to help each other  

Lesson-6-Helping others is helping self

7-Chasing: After finishing our bowling, we used to collectively discuss how to win the match and devise our game plan which clearly defines the batsman’s role  under the tree where place our kit 

Lesson-7-Goal clarity leads to role clarity

8-Setback: If we lose the wicket early, we did feel the sky is falling down and once the batsman comes back, we do shout at him and review how he should have approached the ball. 

Sometimes batsman will take it easy or will argue with us and one of our team members will tell us not to blame an individual and patch up the situation, in the meantime the other batsman will be ready to hit the ground

Lesson-8-Stop blaming and start acting

9-Result: Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, but our spirit to play the next match never died. If we lose, we will go back to our area and discuss what we should improve. If we win, we will walk with pride and keep cherishing the wickets we took or the 4/6 that was hit by our team member. 

Lesson-9- Accept the defeat and look for the learning

Reflect upon your childhood, there is lots of learning hidden there

M.L.Narendra Kumar