The ones who do

I’m stealing this story from Simon Sinek and running it through my filter because I can’t stop asking myself some questions it raised. This story reminded me that when I am at my best, I call on others to help me confront the challenges I cannot face alone. This is true with design and in life.

Simon spoke about Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike. Phil stood up at a large conference and said to the crowd, “If any of you have ever run for exercise, can you please stand up?” Most of the room stood up.

He said, “If you run at least once a week, please keep standing.” Most of the room sat down.

He said, “If you run twice a week, please, keep standing.” More people sat down.

He said, “If you run 3 times a week, rain or shine, regardless of the weather, or the temperature, please keep standing.” There was now a scatter of people left standing in the room.

Phil looked out at them and said, “The next time you’re out there before the sun is up, when it’s dark, it’s cold, and it’s wet, and you’re running by yourself – know that we’re the ones standing under the lamp post, cheering you on.”

That’s how he described Nike. That’s the attitude behind “Just do it.” Simon analyzed Phil’s message as meaning, “when Nike is at their best, they celebrate the ones who do, not the ones who win.” Dedication and growth can exist without having passion for something. The point of running three time a week in the rain is to offer yourself more purpose through focused action.

To be one of “the ones who do,” first ask yourself:
How can you think of yourself in this light with the things you do?
What do you do that’s worth rooting for?
When are you the one standing under the lamp post?

Who are you at your best?