Pablo Sandoval, accepting MVP award

I don’t follow Major League Baseball much during the regular season, but I often enjoy the playoffs and World Series.

This year, it was fascinating to watch the San Francisco Giants rally back against the St. Louis Cardinals and then dismantle the Detroit Tigers in four games to win the World Series.

Pablo Sandoval, who plays third base for the Giants, was awarded MVP after hitting .500, which included three home runs…in ONE game!

Only three other players in the history of baseball have ever achieved that feat during a World Series game: Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols.

It was fun to watch Pablo Sandoval. You could tell he has confidence when he approaches the plate. There’s no evidence of fear or intimidation in his face when he’s waiting for the pitcher to throw the ball. And he doesn’t hesitate to swing at the ball.

As I was watching game 4, I learned the secret behind this attitude.

When Sandoval came up to bat, one of the announcers casually mentioned his three-word philosophy. I immediately ran to my desk, grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote it down. I wanted to permanently emblazon these words in my brain:


Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?

If you’re a baseball player, of course that’s what you do. But the truth is, that is not what all players do. Some wait too long for the perfect pitch, and as a result, they miss out on possible base hits or home runs.

But not Sandoval.

He recognizes that the more swings he takes, the more likely he is to hit the ball. That’s the only way he can ever hit a home run, even if it means he often strikes out in the process.

And his uncomplicated yet profound philosophy is something you can apply even if you never hold a baseball bat in your hands.

How many times do you hesitate to take action because you’re…
…afraid of failure?
…concerned about criticism from others? 
…striving for perfection?
…anxious about making a mistake?

Next time you’re in a situation that requires you to get out of your comfort zone, repeat these three words, “Swing the bat,” and then do it. Again and again and again.

That’s what it takes to get past your fear and develop the confidence and courage to achieve the great things that are possible in your life.

When you finished your formal education, did you assume you were finished with most of the learning you’d need to do in your life? For many people, graduation means they are done. They don't want to read any more books or study ever again.

But individuals who have achieved great success in life – no matter what field – take a different approach. These folks are committed to a lifelong pursuit of becoming an even better version of themselves.

At my company we recently completed a new online personal development system called ProStar Coach. During the months leading up to its release, I was involved with some personal development of my own. We decided that videos would be an important form of media resources for our subscribers. That meant a whole lot of learning for me.

First, there was the technical side - researching the best video camera to buy and figuring out how to get the lighting right. And then there was being in front of the camera. I’d done audio recordings before, but not video, so that was something I needed to get comfortable with. Once the filming was done, I had to edit and produce it, using special software.

All this required a lot of time and energy to master. I really had to stretch outside my comfort zone. I watched online courses, read books, and practiced a lot to get proficient.

When you have the opportunity to learn something new, it’s natural to react with resistance at first. Maybe you’re afraid it’ll involve too much work or you’ll be uncomfortable trying something different. You might be concerned about making mistakes. Sure, it’s easier to stick with what you already know.

But then you wouldn’t be prepared for new opportunities– and you might not even SEE them.

When I feel over my head or intimidated by something new, what keeps me going is my goal. When you have a goal that really matters to you, it motivates you to work through discomfort and do whatever it takes to achieve your dream. Along the way your confidence builds as you realize you can do more than you thought, and that will make you more willing to try new things.

As the great Jim Rohn once said, “The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you to become the person it takes to achieve them.”

Remember, as long as you keep learning, you keep growing. Continue to seek new knowledge, skills and wisdom, so you’ll be prepared to handle any situation that comes your way.

And if you’re one of the 5% who’s committed to being a lifelong learner, check out ProStar Coach. You’ll discover a robust resource to help you grow in the two core areas of ability – personal strengths and people skills.

You may be reluctant to step outside your comfort zone when faced with something new. But you can only discover your true capabilities when you are willing to take risks and step into the unknown. Applying these ideas will help you get past your fears and take action.



What fears have kept you from going after something you really want? What first step can you take to get past those fears and build your confidence?

"If you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been." - Robert Schuller, American clergyman

"Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us through them." - Brendan Francis Behan, Irish author

“Don't be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small steps.” - David Lloyd George, British statesman

"Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision." - Winston Churchill, British prime minister

When you're faced with something new, you may feel resistance. But if you're always looking to gain new knowledge, skills and wisdom, you'll grow and adapt to the world which is changing around you. Applying the insights in this video, you'll be ready for new opportunities that come your way.



This video was featured recently in our multimedia ezine, Golden Eggs. You can subscribe and get a weekly dose of inspiring content delivered to your Inbox. Just enter your email address in the box above.