Here in the US and in many parts of the world we celebrated opening day this week. If you know, you know! And if you don’t, allow me to explain. Please stick around to the end of this blog post as it may surprise you to hear the real purpose of this edition.
Opening Day is the day that baseball starts again. It signifies new beginnings and new opportunities. It coincides nicely with the beginning of Spring. Opening day for many people is special for a number of reasons. And it’s not only about baseball… but that’s a big part of it!
For me, baseball is much bigger than the actual game. It is a time when I not only get to root for my team but I get to root for my team within a community. And even when others are loyal to a different team we still have the common bond of the game.
Baseball is interesting in that if you fail 70% of the time while at bat, or said a better way, you are successful 30% of the time, you are brilliant! I wish life was like that as we do spend a significant amount of time wallowing in what we would consider failures but are really just opportunities.
Baseball is a time when I gather with my family and friends and we watch a game as often as possible. I watch the game for the game. My wife watches the game for the back stories and is interested in the players lives behind the game. My children watch the game because they grew up watching the game and we had something common to rally around. Everyone has their own reasons for watching the game. The common thread is wherever, however or why we’re watching the game, we’re watching it together.
As I said earlier, baseball to me represents so much more than the actual play of this game. It represents preparation and dreams and the realization of success. There is a lot of downtime in baseball between pitches and innings and at bats, etc. However, during those down times I have had some of the best conversations. Yes, we talk about the game, but we also talk about life and a lot of important stuff. And then the game starts again and we get right back into rooting for our team.
Every Spring each baseball team gets a “do over” from the previous season. Even if one wins the World Series, the have the opportunity to do it over. If your team had a mediocre or terrible year the previous baseball season, they also get to do it over and hopefully improve.
We live in a crazy world today where there is a lot of negativity and a lot of uncertainty. But I have noticed that when people get together to watch this silly game on TV or if they are fortunate to see it live, events happening in the world are put aside for just a few hours. I have been to a number of baseball games in my life and not one time was anything 
controversial discussed other than possibly the umpire making a bad decision or your player making a bad play.
On the contrary. There is a lot of high-fiving between people who usually don’t even know one other and certainly don’t care what they look like or who they are. They simply enjoy the moment and enjoy the moment together with their fellow fans watching their team perform. And, of course, there is the food (but that’s a whole blog post in itself).
If any of you have ever watched the movie Field of Dreams, the character Terence Mann sums up the game of baseball and how it coincides with life in the following monologue:
“People will come ….The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”
Terence Mann”
Baseball has drama, it has romance, it has controversy, it has so many things that mimic real life. With baseball, anything is possible. The next hit could be the hit that wins the game. The next play in the field could be the one that saves the game. You just never know what’s going to happen until the final out. Just like life!
In the bottom of the 9th inning in the first game of the 2023 World Series, something special happened that set the tone for the rest of the series. Listen to this call from the broadcasters.
After this one incredible hit from this player, who had been preparing his entire life for this very moment, his team went on to not only win the game but to win the World Series. Many people, me included, feel that this one hit…this one play…encapsulated the season and this championship.
You never know when one opportunity will result in something special, so prepare for that opportunity.
Baseball gives me a chance to escape from my current reality and enjoy something that not only matters to me, but to those around me and to those who share the feelings about the start of baseball season… Opening day!
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
It has everything to do with running an online business.
One must prepare in order to be successful.
One must practice in order to become and remain successful.
One must have the right attitude and the right mindset in order to become successful.
One must not listen to the naysayers and focus on what he or she needs to do to become successful.
During the down times, one must be thinking about the next opportunity or next play.
One must not overthink when stepping up to the plate or stepping up to the computer to complete a task.
One must seize the opportunity and take a chance or swing away in order to have the opportunity to showcase skills.
One must embrace failures as the chance to learn and do better the next time.
One must also learn from the successes and be able to repeat those actions.
And finally, one must know that each business decision or game stands alone. Each is different from the one before and from the one that will come next. One must know that we are not defined by what we have done or not done or what we will do or not do. What can be defined on what we do now at this very moment. That will be our legacy in business and in life.
Now I do want to say something about this post and it’s not so much about baseball, but it’s about life.
I mentioned earlier that during a game, whether on site at the actual game or watching it on TV with friends at home or at some type of establishment, fans share the common bond of watching a game. Baseball proves that unlikely friendship are possible even in the midst of our highly charged world climate. Baseball unites, while divisive distractions are almost non-existent during those 9 innings!
That is how I wish real life was… like watching a game with good fans. If I can learn anything in life, it’s that kindness and respect can conquer just about everything.
Please let me know your thoughts on this post. And let me know what inspires you for new beginnings and new seasons.
So, Happy Opening Day and Opening Week to all! I hope this new season, whether it is Spring, baseball, new opportunities or whatever has a positive impact on your life, your career and your dreams!
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
I started a business selling calendars…But it only did well in certain seasons!
I tried to start a business in autumn…But I kept ‘falling’ behind!
Why was the baseball team so good at business? Because they knew how to pitch an idea!
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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I find it interesting that “Opening Day” coincides with the first day of Spring! Here in Pennsylvania, Spring is just beginning, and rekindles the hope of new opportunities, fresh starts and optimism for what is yet to come into our lives. Our online businesses certainly reflect that freshness of spirit, if we nurture it. Everyday becomes a new chance to achieve the success we envision!
Keep Hope alive!!
Hi Kate – I love the change of each season, but spring does bring on something quite unique and different. It is either the beginning of life or the reawakening of life as we know it. Yes, I get pretty philosophical when it comes to baseball as it parallels life’s lessons in so many ways. However, whether it’s business or fun, everyday becomes a new chance to achieve success as you so eloquently stated in your comment. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and I wish you a wonderful day and week!
Had I read your take on the ball game prior to my one visit to Houston, I’d be pumped to go out to the game. I never really looked at it as a community event. You are right about a lot of negativity and uncertainty in this crazy world we live. There is some negativity that I’m hoping you’ll forgive that is happening during singing of the anthems – start of the game when two countries are present. Unfortunate events of the day are actually uniting a whole country in solidarity against an adversary. Still – I’m hoping that behaviour will eventually subside. But beyond that I believe that all attendees share that chance to escape from our current reality and revel in Opening Day!
And as usual, the parallels of your blog post of the week (Opening Day) to running an online business are impeccable.
Well done!
Thank you for your active and constant visits to my blog posts. The time that you take to read and comment means the world to me. We do live in crazy times where people are acting out an unfortunate and unnecessary ways. What is more unfortunate is that these people are on both sides of the pendulum. I am choosing to not get involved in the silliness of most of this behavior but instead am focused on what is positive. Spring and baseball for me are a chance for new beginnings and new opportunities. Both are so different but are so close and can parallel real life! Have a great week!
Absolutely loved this post! ⚾️ Opening Day isn’t just about baseball—it’s about fresh starts, hope, and that magical feeling of possibility. The way you tied it into business and life was spot on. We all get our “at-bats” in life, and sometimes we strike out, but the key is stepping up to the plate again. Also, I couldn’t agree more about baseball bringing people together—there’s something special about those shared moments, whether with family, friends, or even strangers. Here’s to a season full of wins—on and off the field! 😊Have a lovely week!
Hi Sarah! You totally get it and you totally reached the same conclusions as me regarding opening day. New and fresh starts and new and fresh beginnings are wonderful, aren’t they? And we all get to step up to the plate in life and in business and have the opportunity to make something happen. Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for your nice and kind comments!
Love this post! ⚾️ Opening Day is more than just baseball—it’s fresh starts, hope, and that feeling that anything is possible. And I love how you tied it all back to life and business.
The way baseball brings people together, even if they’re rooting for different teams, is something we could all use more of. And that bit about failures just being opportunities? That’s a message we all need to hear. Life’s all about stepping up to the plate, swinging, and learning—whether it’s in business, personal growth, or just everyday challenges.
Also… those dad jokes? Chef’s kiss😂 Gotta love a good (bad) pun.
Here’s to new seasons, big swings, and enjoying the game—both on and off the field. What’s your favorite Opening Day memory?
Hi Alison – You are always so kind with your comments and for taking the time to visit my little blog post. I really believe that we can turn anything, or just about anything, into something positive. I learned a long time ago that sports and activities like baseball can bring people together if done in the proper way. It is possible to find inner peace with new beginnings and with the right mindset. That’s what new opportunities, new beginnings and fresh starts do for me. And I don’t plan on stopping the dad jokes anytime soon 🙂 . Have a wonderful week!
Hey Ernie!
I love how you tied baseball to the bigger picture of life and business! It’s so true that it’s about more than just the game. The idea of taking the “do-over” each season and applying it to life and business is powerful. I agree, we can all learn so much from how baseball embraces both wins and losses. It’s about moving forward, learning, and making the most of every opportunity. I also love your point about kindness and respect, such an important reminder. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post.
Meredith
Hi Meredith – Thank you for your visit to my blog and for your very nice comments. You and I are on the same page! Life is all about embracing changes and getting the opportunity to do a “do over” when we can. When we are moving forward, we can accomplish just about anything within reason. I truly appreciate your support and again, thank you for your visit!
Opening day and fresh starts what a profound analogy. Each day becomes opening day for those in business as we can strive to do better. Thanks for the great momentum you have given each of us!
Hi Ken – Thanks for your visit! Yes, each day is like an opening day if we operate in that mindset. Each day has the opportunity for a fresh start and a new chance at success. I appreciate your comments and review of my post!
Ernie, I really liked how you connected baseball to business and life. I’ve been working on my online business while looking after my dad and trying to stay on top of everything else, and it reminded me that success really does come from showing up every day, even when things aren’t perfect. Just like in baseball, not every swing will land, but preparation and mindset make all the difference. I also know how powerful those quiet moments are—in between tasks or setbacks—where real thinking and growth happen. Thanks for the reminder that each “at bat” is a fresh chance to make something great happen.
Hello My Friend! Thank you for your visit to my blog post and for taking the time to make comments. I have been following you for some time now and know that you have the gift of perseverance even in the midst of life’s trials. You show up every day strong… as much as it is possible. I love how you step up to the plate each day and swing away. Again, I appreciate you and thank you for your visit!