Shortly after the Brewers won the World Series, I posted in incredible picture along with a little quote: “Caring is cool. Nonchalance is a cop-out. Pour your heart and soul into what you love. You don’t get unlimited chances. Try hard. Give a damn.”
The post went viral across platforms. Many of you asked for the context of the quote. It's one of my favorite parts of the book, so I figured I would share here too.
"Caring is cool. Nonchalance is a cop-out. Pour your heart and soul into what you love. You don’t get unlimited chances. Try hard. Give your all. Give a damn.
When you hold yourself back because you fear failure or looking ‘uncool,’ you sacrifice growth and potential (and mastery and fulfillment and richness and love and all the other good stuff in life) for short-term safety and comfort. It’s a trap. Get over it.
Fear and insecurity are part of human nature. You can either go through the motions and be superficially cool (but actually boring). Or you can step into the arena, lay it on the line, care deeply, make yourself vulnerable, and fully live your one and only life.
The world doesn’t need more mediocrity or going through the motions. The world needs more people putting themselves out there and giving it their all. The world needs more people who have the guts to care.
The best athletes care deeply.
The best artists care deeply.
The best leaders care deeply.
The best coaches care deeply.
The best teachers care deeply.
The best doctors care deeply.
The best writers care deeply.
The best scientists care deeply.
The best parents care deeply.
Caring deeply is the cost of admission to a big and textured life.
Try hard and give a damn."
I think the nonchalance pose is usually fear wearing a disguise. If you never visibly care, you never visibly fail. The people worth learning from are the ones willing to be caught trying, World Series or Tuesday practice. Caring out loud is the braver move.
A great post, ty. Where would you place self-transcendence in the mix for good leadership?