Ever heard the term Inside Baseball? Well, here’s another take on it.
If you’ve watched a baseball game, you’ve seen a pitcher brush-off what the catcher signals to pitch the batter. As a writer I often feel like both pitcher and catcher.
I have an idea….
… no that’s not it
think about it….
…no that’s not it
maybe write something…
… no that’s not it
try again…
…no, that’s not it
And then at some point, if I ease off and relax, just the “right” thing will occur to me.
So back to the pitcher….
Now the pitcher doesn’t have much time. His decision making is compressed, but he knows when the yes feels right. He has to. History, when he tunes in, tells him his gut is more right than not. Otherwise you wouldn’t be watching him in Major League Baseball.
The game, his reputation and his livelihood depend on it and yet he’s cool. He knows if he gets rattled and starts thinking outside the present moment, if he’s not 100% relaxed and inside the moment, he’ll make a costly mistake. So at his best he chooses to stay “inside” and focused.
So when you’re staring down your own versions of pitcher and catcher, and the world is clamoring for your attention, and you have to make a decision, what does your gut history tell you? Stay in the present moment and go with that. At its best that’s clarity.
Artwork: America (Baseball) by R.B. Kitaj