By Kirk McCarley
We’ve heard the saying, “The epitome of idiocy is repeating the same pattern over and over and expecting a different result.”
Probably most of us have faced a harsh personal or professional junction to a greater or lesser degree. The medical doctor who comes to the realization that they really disdain medicine. The well compensated, yet frustrated accountant with a suppressed and creative talent in art. The family attending a church that just “doesn’t work for them,” yet who continue attending because their departure would “upset others.”
How do you know when you’ve reached a crossroads? We’ve heard it expressed in a variety of ways:
- “If I can just make it in this miserable job eight more years I can retire.” Eight years is almost 3,000 days of misery.
- “I can’t keep good staff and the ones who stay don’t know how to work.” Might you be the problem, boss?
- “I’m constantly being interrupted to the point I can’t get anything done.” What kind of boundaries have you established?
What is the pain point for you? How do you make the decision to alter course? How are you able to change your way of thinking? Where do you muster up the courage? There’s got to be something better: how do you get off the hamster wheel?
Canadian born and raised, as a young man he accepted an acting scholarship and moved to New York City. During the first 30 years of his career, he had roles not only in Broadway Theatre, but in television and several successful big screen ventures including “Forbidden Planet” and later “The Poseidon Adventure”.
It was not until 1980 when he was 54 years old that his performing career shifted course. A new comedy movie “Airplane!,” a spoof following the 70’s craze of “disaster” productions, cast Leslie Nielson in the role of Dr. Rumack. His deadpan delivery was the perfect complement to the movie’s chaotic absurdity rebranding the veteran player as a comedy actor. What was a reasonably successful career rocketed to an entirely new level.
Following the success of “Airplane!,” Nielsen went on to star in the TV series, “Police Squad,” which spawned “The Naked Gun” movie franchise for which he found greatest acclaim.
The St. Louis Cardinals are a storied major league baseball franchise. Following a dearth of down seasons between 1988 and 1999, the Cardinals posted their best record in 13 years by going 95-67 in 2000 and winning their division in the National League. A key ingredient to their success was 21-year-old rookie pitcher, Rick Ankiel, who started 30 games for the Redbirds and was arguably their most consistent starter in the regular season.
Heading into the post season, St. Louis was optimistic about playoff prospects.
What happened to Ankiel in those playoffs was tragic. Suddenly unable to locate the strike zone with wildly erratic pitches, the southpaw was mercifully relieved from several post season contests.
The following year and for several seasons after that, Ankiel sought to recover his mound prowess and for the most part staggered through upsets, injuries, and general mediocrity.
Frustrated and disappointed, yet resolute, Ankiel made the decision to transition from pitching into becoming an everyday player. Such a move in baseball is unprecedented: the most renowned ballplayer to that time who executed that type of conversion was Babe Ruth and he was well…Babe Ruth!
What Rick Ankiel accomplished the next few seasons as a Cardinal and later with several other franchises is considered legendary. He was a superb outfielder, fielding well and throwing out baserunners foolish enough to challenge his pitching strengthened left arm. He banged out 76 home runs, becoming the only ballplayer besides Ruth to have won ten games pitching and hit at least 70 homers. That duo’s achievements are now shared with likely future hall of famer Shohei Ohtani.
Both Leslie Nielsen and Rick Ankiel seized different paths.
Near the end of our days on earth, a common regret is of choices not made. Why didn’t I take that opportunity?
Do you need to change course? What is holding you back? Conquer regret. Unbury your passion. What’s your epilogue?
