Dear Michael, Mikey Junior, Byrnesie and Mike:
You still have a lot of names, and that’s not even including the nicknames that will come from your college baseball team when they realize your last name sounds like “burns.” Third Degree. Side. Rug. Those guys will have too much time on their hands, while you will always have the dirtiest uniform on the team playing aggressive at third base.
You’re still a teenager and I know you understand life better right now when it’s explained in baseball analogies. Baseball is your passion. Since you were little, you always wanted to be on the field or at least playing catch in the backyard with Dad.
Strikeouts
But just so you know, you’re going to strike out. A lot. You’re going to strike out in baseball, and you’re going to strike out in life.
Even if you swing and miss, remember that you’re going to get more at-bats. A mistake isn’t a mistake if you learn from it.
After playing ball in college, you’re not going to make it to the big leagues. That’s ok. You’ll coach baseball instead, and have the chance to share the wisdom that the game taught you with your players, including your kids — yes, you’re going to have your own kids some day.
You’ll become a coach who focuses on player development, one who truly cares about every player, no matter their size or talent, and wants everyone to improve. Your greatest success won’t be winning a championship, it will be taking the kids no one else wanted on their team under your wing and developing them to have clutch hits at the end of the season. As a coach, you’ll help create memories for your players that they’ll never forget. Years later, these same players will tell you how the game balls and awards you gave them are still proudly displayed in their rooms.
Effort matters
I’m going to give you the same advice that you’ll eventually give to those players: Nobody gets better than the rest just by showing up. Everyone has the same number of games and the same number of practices.
Those that give “maximum effort” are more likely to succeed. Putting in extra time is essential for excelling.
It’s not just baseball I’m talking about. These lessons apply to life, too. Pick the things that matter the most to you and double down on them because, believe it or not, you’re someday going to have a life outside of baseball. And, believe it or not, you’re going to strike out there too, even if it isn’t always your fault.
You know how sometimes an umpire makes a bad call and suddenly you’re walking back to the bench when you know you shouldn’t be? Well, that happens in a career, too. Companies downsize, relocate employees to a different state, and sometimes you’ll report to a terrible boss.
These experiences will help you realize there are better ways to work with people. They are challenges that will push you toward becoming an entrepreneur. I’ll put it in baseball terminology for you: you’re going to own your own winning program that you’re responsible for leading.
Your love for coaching will carry over to the business world, where you will start your own consulting business and help other people become more successful. You’re going to help your clients the same way you help your kids play baseball — by helping them define their focus and creating a plan to achieve improved results.
Again, double down on what matters most to you. You’ll find that business planning will become one of your great passions. It’s your path to becoming your own boss and traveling around the country to speak. Even though you’re not a fan of English classes in school, you’ll write more than 500 published articles as you find a passion for sharing your knowledge to help others.
When life gives curveballs, hit them out of the park
One important piece of advice for you: be ready for the curveballs. Unsuccessful batters buckle when they see a curveball coming at them, only to look foolish if the pitch slides in over the plate. God’s plan for you is not a straight line. Curveballs are coming. It is what you do with the challenge that makes you a success.
One specific curveball you won’t see coming (let’s just say you can’t trust everybody), and it will knock you down. It will hurt. I don’t want to give it away, as it is something you will have to go through on your own. When it happens, put all your faith in God and pray. Pick yourself up off the ground and dust yourself off. You will recover day by day, month by month, and year by year. You’ll take that experience and use it to help so many others.
Be Positive and Love Everyone
You know that signed baseball you have from Ernie “Mr. Cub” Banks? The one that reads “Michael, Be Positive!” I know it sounds like some simple advice from a Hall of Famer, but it really is profound. Nobody wants to be around a negative person.
Believe it or not, even the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox will eventually win the World Series. If that’s not proof to never give up hope, I don’t know what is.
There are always ways to improve — as a father, a coach, and as a consultant — but try to do it in a way that brightens someone’s day. Be positive!
While baseball is an important part of your life, God is by far the most important.
I’ll leave you with what will someday be one of your favorite Bible verses on faith, hope, and love, ”But the greatest of these is love.” Love what you do. Love everyone, even your opponents in the other dugout and all the people that you dislike. If you pray for them, then there is no room for "hate" in your life.
Your main goal on Earth is to make it to heaven. Live and work that way every day, and you will become the type of champion the world truly needs.
Sincerely,
55-year-old Mike Byrnes
Byrnes Consulting and TradePMR are unaffiliated companies.