The next two paragraphs have been
copied from Dr. Jim Tunney’s most recent weblog posting from his The Tunney
Side of Sports (“What Do I Do Now?”, September 9, 2019). Jim Tunney, who has been called the Dean of National Football League (NFL) Referees, lives in California and works out at the Resort where I work. I would recommend
his inspiring (in a non-religious way) and motivational thoughts as worthy of
your consideration. This posting was generated
by the reality faced every year around September 1st when 500-600 aspiring
college football stars get cut from the tryout rosters of the 32 NFL teams.
“Have you ever been cut or fired
from a job? If not, you are missing out on one of life’s most personal
challenges. One of the first things that comes to mind when that “grim reaper”
appears is: “What do I do now?” Friends and loved ones will tell you: “When one
door closes, another one will open?” Yeah, but when your world collapses, you
struggle to keep positive. However, begin to look for that next door to open –
and it will! It may not open when you want it to, but, as has often been said:
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
“Hopefully,
the person making the decision to fire you is someone who will look you
straight in the eye, explain the decision and point out other opportunities –
in and out of whatever your current job happens to be. You hope that person
making that decision will wish you well and leave the door open for you to call
if they can help further. It’s never easy. If, however, you are the one
in-charge, be sure you express those feelings to those you are releasing. After
all, you did hire/employ that individual and felt at the time it was a good
decision. Unless the firing is for egregious behavior, you still are releasing
an individual with whom you had confidence.”
I would add to Jim’s remarks that
any person who has shown enough self-discipline and worked hard enough to even
get invited to try out for a professional sports team will have a great deal of
what it takes to be hired to some other profession. Desire, determination, and
discipline (not only on the field but in the classroom and in interpersonal
relationships) are what it takes—and with it you can do almost anything.
