I know some folks that are all about the numbers. From how many people are in attendance, to how many chips are in a bag, these folks are on top of “the numbers”. I don’t typically look at the numbers first in regard to somethings value. I need to know that what we are trying to do is something that matters, before we go talk to the “numbers” guys. However, the truth is, numbers are important. I get it. I had a friend who liked to say, “You need to know what the score is during the game”. I know what he meant. You need to be present, you need to be engaged because you can’t get a clear picture of what’s going on if you’re unaware of what is happening. Metaphorically speaking, you typically don’t want to throw a pass on 4th and inches, when you have the lead and all you need is a first down. And, let’s face it, everything we do revolves around numbers. From budgets to a loaf of bread, or a tank of gas, that’s how our lives are measured. Heck, we come into the world and first thing they do is weigh you and measure you, and write down the date, time, and hour, and place you were born. Yeah, just like the old folks say, “I’m just a number”…
For kicks I decided to multiple 85 x 8750. If my calculator didn’t fail me, that would equal 744,600. That's the number of hours you and I would have spent if we live to be 85 years old. Now if we subtract 8 hours per day for sleep, and we all know some people who don’t sleep, nonetheless, that would leave you with 496,400 hours. We could also start subtracting a multitude of other “mindless task” we do every day, every week, and every year, and bring the total number of hours down even more.
The thing is, we don’t even know if we’ll get to 85. At one point in our documented history of “life expectancy” we didn’t even have a chance to get that far. We can’t escape the numbers though. They rule our life. Our calendar and clock is all we know….right?
I started thinking about it. I started asking myself questions like, “is there something that makes time “seem” to stand still?” “Is there something that makes me feel FREE from this numbers burden we all have?” Then I thought of one of my favorite lines I first saw illustrated in a beautiful picture of rain drops falling off tree leaves. The caption read “life is just a series of moments.” I like that. I like the word “moments.” So, the obvious questions are, “ What are the moments that make those hours of our lives really worth living and make us feel free and full of breath?”
As it turns out there’s quite a few. For me it’s music, writing, acting, entertainment, a cup of coffee, a great conversation, my favorite foods, dogs, bird hunting, fishing, golf, and a good drink. We can go much deeper though. It’s a hug, a kiss, significant other, your kids, extended family, and dear friends. It’s also those moments with strangers. That one brief encounter that changed the course of a bad hour into a good hour.
There’s a lot folks today that can’t stand to look at a clock and for many reasons dread the next minute much less the next few hours. I completely understand. That’s the thing about “numbers guys” that I admire. They look at the numbers and make hard decisions. Sometimes those decisions aren't so pleasant at first, but they know that if they don’t make them, they may not survive another year, or another quarter. Yeah, “Numbers Guys” come off being brutally honest. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt them in a room and I’ve just pitched what I think is one of the best songs, jingles, branding campaign, video ideas, etc…only to have them sit there stone like…. It’s quite an experience. But then, that’s where the light comes in. They don’t really want to live that stone like non-emotional life. They just do a good job of reminding you what you’re up against.
I said I wasn’t really a “numbers guy” but maybe in this way, I want to be…..I want to look at the situation with brutal honesty and still say, “No, I’m gonna take this moment and make a hard decision.” I’m going to decide to have some hope, give some love away, and make as many hours of my life as I can moments that matter. I know what the score is too….and we don’t have a moment to spare…
Here’s to the “Numbers Guys”….