In this motivational vlog, coach, speaker, and author Bryn Drescher discusses the importance of having a strong "big why"—a purpose that drives performance. She uses the 2011 Women’s World Cup final between Japan and the United States as a case study, explaining how Japan’s recent catastrophic earthquake gave its players a national purpose that transcended technical skill. While the U.S. team had superior strategy and talent, Japan’s will, determination, and desire to lift their country’s spirit made the difference, illustrating how purpose can overcome physical or tactical disadvantages. Bryn urges viewers to identify their own "why," suggesting that a compelling purpose can push anyone over the edge in any challenge. She closes with a call to subscribe to her blog, My Life GPS, for more content.
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Hey everybody, it's Bryn. I'm coming to you from my blog at mylifegps.com. I'm a coach, speaker, and author, and I want to talk to you today about having a big why. What is the reason behind what you're doing? The big example I'd like to use was the Women's World Cup final match that happened today between Japan and the United States. Obviously, going into the match, the US was primed and a favorite. But there was something about this Japanese squad that made such a difference. They triumphed over Germany, which they were so thought to have been the underdog and to lose that match. They triumphed over Sweden, and so they were not to be taken lightly by the U.S. squad. There was something about this Japanese squad that everybody in the world knew but didn't maybe think about, which is they were playing for something more than just that trophy. They were not just playing for the pride of saying that they won that game and they'll be ever forever to tell their children that they played in a Women's World Cup final and played before the world. They were playing for their country's pride, for their country's sake. And it's not to say that those other teams weren't. The U.S. definitely represented us proud today. But Japan was recovering from a tragedy in their country, a catastrophe of epic proportion. Several months ago, there was a huge earthquake in Japan. It affected their entire country. They're still dealing with the fallout and aftermath of that event. So these Japanese players had something that you couldn't necessarily strategize against. You could strategize against the way they ran their offense. You could strategize against their defense. You could pinpoint the weaknesses technically of the goalie. But what you couldn't play against, you couldn't prepare against, was the will. The will and the fight that they had in them to represent their country in such a way that they needed to help their country hold their head high and show the world that they are still a force to be reckoned with. And that, people, is a big why. It's amazing. So you can have the strategy, you can have all the right skills, but it's that passion, that drive, and that will that you need to have to just push you over the top. And that was the difference of that squad today. And so the US played a great game. They may not be happy right now, but if they look back, they did everything they needed to do except keep Japan completely away from the goal. Anywhere near the goal and they were going to find a way. If you watch the game, there were shots that were taken on goal that were like technically amazing by the Japan squad. One girl hit it in with her left foot, which is why the goalie who was amazing and got the Golden Glove Award, Hope Solo, was not prepared. They still could play against an Abby Wambach and an Alex Morgan who consistently made plays and connected the ball in the back of the net. But that's because they had a drive and a will and a reason to play better than they ever thought possible. They were small. They were— I mean, it was like a classic David and Goliath tale in a lot of ways. But the point is they had a big enough why. So what's your why? What's going to push you over the edge? What's going to make the difference in your life? So I challenge you to think about that next time you take something on. Don't forget the why of what you're doing is just as important as the what, because with a big enough why, you can conquer anyhow. Seriously, guys, get into soccer. It was such an amazing match. If you get to see a replay, I mean, you'll really see what I'm talking about. But the heart of that Japanese team, you can't even be upset that they won because it's something their country needed. And I believe that if the U.S. had played at a time when our country needed something like that, let's say 9/11, after 9/11, that would have been the difference. And it would have been two squads going head-to-head fighting for their whole country. But Japan, they just wanted it more. More in the sense that they needed it more. We wanted it, but they needed it. And sometimes that's just the difference, that there's no other option but to leave it all out on the field. So congratulations to the U.S. players for an amazing match, but good kudos to Japan for really showing us that will, determination, and fight are really important and push you over the edge when it comes to the size of any opponent or task or challenge. Alright, so thank you guys. This has been me for My Life GPS, and please subscribe or join my blog and look out for more of these.
