It’s not every day that you get an opportunity to step up. It’s not something you can plan for either. You have to be ready, and willing, to capture the moment when it comes.
Want a great example of stepping up and taking on an opportunity?
All you have to do is look at Nick Foles, the Philadelphia Eagles backup Quarterback. Foles entered the 2017/2018 season an afterthought. He left it last night as the Super Bowl 52 MVP.
Talk about capturing the moment!
What is all the more impressive is that no one saw it coming. Until his opportunity arose, Foles had been an average player, one who was close to quitting just a year ago.
When Foles was originally called to step up and capture the moment, Philly fans went as white as the cheese on their favorite sandwich. How could a journeyman Quarterback who was ready to quit take the Eagles to the promise land? Perhaps only Foles believed it was possible.
I’ve been fortunate to have a few of these opportunities to step up in my career. One that really stands out happened early in my career. A few weeks prior to the largest trade show of the year, our CEO fired our entire marketing team. This left a big hole…and a lot of responsibility.
I’d never lead a marketing department, let alone a huge trade show event, but I believed enough in myself to think I could execute. It was stressful, it was trying, but in the end we delivered a winning presence that further catapulted the company into the industry spotlight. I’m no Nick Foles, but this was winning the big game for us.
Imagine if Nick Foles would have listened to critics and fans. He wouldn’t be the most beloved man in Philadelphia today. If I hadn’t had the belief that I could do the job of someone with more experience than I, I wouldn’t be doing what I am today.
It seems that’s the secret to stepping up and winning in these fleeting moments: believing in yourself.
If you don’t believe me, just ask Nick Foles. Super bowl champion, and MVP, Nick Foles.