By the time you read this, I will be stressing over fantasy football.
While I’m posting this blog around the time the fantasy football playoffs start, you can be reading this in February, June, or November- it doesn’t matter. I’m just about *always* stressing about fantasy football. I take this stuff way too seriously, which results in some very tense Sunday afternoons around Casa de Kaufman.
When I woke up this morning, the first two things I thought about were fantasy football (hey, don’t judge me- it’s the playoffs!) and what I wanted to get done today for my voiceover business. It was in the haze where my eyes were still adjusting to the light that it hit me; one could learn a lot about running a business if they just sit back and take a look at their fantasy football season.
To prove to my mom that fantasy football isn’t a complete waste of time, I present to you a few things one can learn about running a growing business by paying attention to fantasy football:
Prepare For The Draft: I do a lot of research before drafting a team. Just ask my wife; “Hold on, I’m running a mock draft” became the answer to just about any question she had a month before football started. I’ve never heard of a business (especially a growing one) that succeeded because they didn’t properly research a potential client, or keep up with the latest in technology.
Set Your Lineups Every Week: You may have drafted Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and Rob Gronkowski (and if you did, HOW???), but if you don’t set your optimal lineups every week, you’re going to miss out on points once the bye weeks hit. It is so very important to always put your best foot forward and give yourself the best chance for success. Don’t just rest on your laurels, but stay proactive when growing a business. Getting too comfortable (and as a result, careless) is exactly how a front-runner can turn into a has-been. Stay woke.
Be Ready For Inevitable Injuries: This was quite the year for injuries to major players. In one of my leagues, I lost Arian Foster, Le’Veon Bell, and Steve Smith in back-to-back weeks- straight devastating to any lineup. That’s the name of the game, however. At any point, that big-name client could walk out the door, that “sure thing” could dissolve into nothing, and that “unbreakable bond” can be broken. It’s on you to stay flexible. Be ready for anything, and react accordingly. Rigidity isn’t always the best trait to have when trying to grow.
Listen To Podcasts & Post On Forums: I am far from the greatest fantasy football player out there. That’s why one of my favorite things to do each week is listen to various expert podcasts and post to fantasy football forums***. Seeking out help from others is never a bad thing. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run, there’s always someone out there who can relate, and there is plenty of helpful information out there. Even if your business is a one-man show, you are not an island.
Enjoy The Ride: When it comes down to it, fantasy football has some pretty volatile swings. One week you may have the worst lineup in the league and be ready to quit, when another week you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world because your team was absolutely unstoppable. Maybe you win your league and take home the grand prize, or you come in last place and have to buy all of your opponents drinks at the bar for being so bad. There may be stressful times and there may be bad days, but in the end, fantasy football is fun. If it isn’t, then you shouldn’t be playing- just like running a business.
*** If you think I’m giving up my favorite fantasy football podcasts & forums, you are insane! I’m way too paranoid to do that! Like I said before, stay woke!
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