I went to an NFL pre-season game this past weekend. The location of the game and the teams that played don’t matter because my team played horribly. I know I shouldn’t worry about it because everyone always says it’s pre-season so it doesn’t really matter. Knowing that and paying to watch it are two entirely different things. As I sullenly sat in the stadium watching my team’s pitiful performance, I began to wonder about that pre-season mentality.

What if I declared that Mondays at my job were my pre-season, and therefore, all the tasks that I perform that day don’t really matter or count? I believe we all know that answer to that question. My pre-season would soon turn into my off season since I would quickly be let go. 

As my attention turned away from the disaster on the field and toward the next snack to enjoy, I thought about how dangerous this attitude can be.  Is it ever okay to just phone in your performance or not be 100% into the task at hand? If I choose to give less than my best today, isn’t it easier to do the same thing tomorrow and the next day and the next? When does it stop? When do you choose to give 100% again?  We’re not all as lucky as the NFL players who literally have a calendar that tells them when it’s time to perform at 100%.

I hadn’t planned on having so much time to think while at the game, but once snack time was over, there wasn’t much else to do.  I realized that night that I disagree completely with the pre-season attitude.  I think that all games should count, and those that don’t should be called practice. Work is work whether it’s on the field or in an office, and all members of the team should be trying their hardest to make a positive impact. 100% should be regulation on any team.