Changing teams the way baseball players do may not be as common in the “real world”. But come the trade deadline, it’s on the mind of most MLB players, whether for their own livelihood, that of their friends or the competitiveness of their current team. No matter what line of work you are in, changing teams is one we all know - and will never forget - inside and Out of the Park. 

Teams are powerful constructs. In a recent episode of Rounding the Bases, I was joined by a kindred spirit named Dan James. To teams around the world, he’s known for coaching the most success-driven individuals to exceptional results. First as a history-making wheelchair tennis coach, and now as the founder of Story 19 Consulting. Changing careers may have meant changing teams, but the result has always been the same: Inspired and innovative, with maximum impact. 

I’m lucky to get to live my dream six to seven days a week, traveling the country and talking about baseball. Win or lose, I always feel fortunate to get to do this for work. But regardless of how the team has been playing, the grueling 162-game schedule will inevitably lead to burnout. As we head into the final ten weeks - or more - of the season, I find myself more energetic than I have been in years, all thanks to simple acts of self care inside and Out of the Park.

Finding balance between work and life is a universal struggle. During a recent interview on my podcast Rounding the Bases, I was joined by someone who - like me - spent his career in sports. What struck me the most were the steps he took to find his own balance. They would be dramatic for anyone, but especially someone at the height of a star-powered career.

I always tell attendees of my speaking engagements not to measure their achievements by the same numbers that make baseball hitters successful. In the big leagues, a favorable result 30 percent of the time could easily lead to an All-Star season. In business, the same performance would be considered dismal.

I’ve spent nearly three decades in the sports broadcasting game. During that time, I’ve witnessed the evolution of so much: stadiums, team names…even the game of baseball itself. Some changes have been for the better, others not so much. But despite the ebbs and flows of progress, one area that continues to improve is a level of self-awareness in leadership that didn’t previously exist.

Change and mindset go hand in hand. As humans, we crave the feelings of security that comes from routine, even if change is the key to our own growth. But the truth is…change is hard. Framing it correctly makes coping easier.