Will You Go “All-in” to Get What You Want?

The last two World Series are near and dear to my friends here in Philadelphia. In 2008 the Phillies prevailed over Tampa Bay in five memorable games. And this year the Yankees took the title. Both series turned on a single memorable play made by an outstanding player who took a moment and decided they were going to make a difference…THE difference.

The recent popularity of professional poker has made many of us familiar with the term “all-in.” That one moment, faced with an opportunity to win a big poker hand, when the player chooses to bet all of their money. Win the hand and collect your riches, lose the hand and you are not only out of the game but flat broke.

Chase Utley and Johnny Damon chose to go “all-in” at a key moment. Their split second decision could change the series in their favor or turn the tide against their teams. We’ll discuss the result of their decision in a moment. The point is their mindset at the big moment. They choose to go for it, push in all their chips, and make the difference for their team.

For Damon, he stepped to the plate with the score tied in the crucial game 4 of this year’s series. After a fantastic at bat Damon reached first base with two out in the top of the ninth. But it is what Damon did next that turned the tide of the series. In the process of stealing second base Damon realized in a split second that no one on the Phillies was covering third. With the player holding the ball only one foot away from him, Damon went “all-in” and began running to third. If he made it the Yankees would have a great chance to take the lead. If he made an out the Phillies would come to the plate with the game tied. One moment, one decision, be a hero or be a goat. Damon outran Feliz and was safe at third. He scored shortly after. The first of three runs the Yankees would score in the top of the ninth on their way to a decisive game 4 victory.

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Last year it was Utley in the spotlight in game 5. In a tie game with two out in the 7th inning Utley fielded a difficult ground ball up the middle. He could not get the runner at first, but rather than settling for stopping the ball he decided to fake a throw to first. The runner coming around third base went for the fake and ran home. Utley unleashed a perfect throw to get the runner at the plate. There should have been runners on first and third with two out. Instead, Utley got the third out and the Phillies took the lead later in the game and went on to win the World Series.

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Most of us are satisfied to steal second base. Most of us would be happy with just stopping the ground ball. And most of us won’t be world champions because of it.

These lessons apply to your exercise and fitness as well. I’ve talked a lot in the past about people who “mail it in” during their workouts. Their intensity level is low; they are going through the motions; they are satisfied with just being at the gym. They are okay with stopping at second base. They wouldn’t think to throw the runner out at home. Why would they when it is so much easier to only bet a few of your chips?

The problem is that the less you put into it, the less you get out. Damon and Utley made THE difference, not just for one play, but for the whole championship. They put themselves on the line; they pushed in all their chips; they reaped the greatest reward.

You can do the same, you should do the same. When you show up at the gym, make the decision to go “all-in.” Put in the most effort you can. Seize the moment and burn more calories, run faster, lift more, reduce your rest time, learn a new exercise, up your intensity, go to third base, throw the runner out at home. Give yourself a chance to get great fitness results.