Lesson #4 - You have to know when to come off the ice

Anyone can stay on the ice but there comes a time when you have to get off. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to great loss. Furthermore, physical exhaustion leads to mental fatigue and mental drift. It can be costly. Many goals are scored by the opponent at the end of someone’s shift all because they didn’t get off the ice when they should have.  

Knowing when to give someone else a chance is a necessary part of playing on a team. When I was playing my first years of organized hockey the league used a 3 minute buzzer system for line changes. Every 3 minutes 5 new players would file off the bench.  Equal time and equal opportunity. As we got older we had to learn to change on the fly. I learned this lesson when I was playing in triple AAA at the age of 16. We actually would practice line changes during practice. Our shifts were 30-45 seconds maximum. On the ice, then off. With such short shifts we all learned that it was possible and necessary to give it all we had and then give someone else a chance. 

Understanding your limitations and getting off the ice for the sake of the team and the Big Picture is a valuable lesson. Never get caught in a situation where you really have nothing to offer while so many others are anxiously waiting right next to you and have so much to give.

Make it your goal to find your place on a team: ie. sports team, local community group, charity club, church group, or at your place of employment and being used in your gifting. Step up to the challenge!  Everybody has something a little different to offer. This includes you. By coming to terms with your ability and limitations it will free others up to do the same and everyone will benefit.  When this happens you will be a part of a great team that can go the distance.

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