If You Can’t Beat the Bear

I first heard this old joke in the context of one of my favorite football players ever, Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, and his best friend and teammate Matt Suhey.

Walter and Matt are camping, in their sleeping bags in the tent they share, trying to fall asleep when Matt sees the shadow of a real bear, cast by the full moon, through the top of the tent.

Matt gasps and in a loud whisper tells Walter of the impending danger.

Payton quietly and quickly slides out of his bag and begins to put on his running shoes.

Suhey, in a hushed shriek, says “what are you doing? You can’t outrun a bear!”

Walter calmly replies, “I don’t have to outrun the bear. I just have to outrun you.”

This applies to us!

To be good, to have a unique selling proposition, you don’t have to be the best in the whole world. That’s such a tall order.

You just have to be good enough to get the job done.  Better than those around you. The best available when your customer needs you.

What do you think?

See you tomorrow.