What I Learned from Herbert Hoover about Being Distracted from the Goal
Keep your mind focused on what you are going to do
Herbert Hoover was born on August 10, 1874, in West Branch, Iowa, and was the first president born west of the Mississippi River.
Herbert Hoover was the 31st President of the United States (1929–1933)
In 1928, Hoover was elected president, but eight months later came the stock market crash of 1929, ushering in the Great Depression.
Hoover’s policies could not overcome the economic destruction and despair that resulted, and he lost his bid for reelection in 1932.
Although during his period of presidency he shows a negative outcome in terms of his candidacy for reelection in 1932.
In 1931, during the Great Depression, an anecdote occurred with the former president, from which I was able to learn a great life lesson.
Hoover missed the opportunity
Hoover was known for being a huge fan of baseball, who used to throw the first pitch of the first game for the Washington Senators.
On one occasion, he went so far as to say publicly that “religion and baseball are the institutions that have had the greatest impact on American life.”
In fact, between January 24 and March 22, 2015, the Hoover Presidential Museum put his private collection on display, which includes approximately 180 balls signed by star players of the time, including Babe Ruth.
His passion for baseball was so great that in 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression that afflicted the country, he traveled by train from Washington to St. Louis to make the first pitch of the first game of the World Series between Philadelphia and St. Louis.
According to Kay D. Rizzo, when the president arrived at the stadium he was surrounded by journalists.
Questions, photos, laughter… everything was going wonderfully.
As people insisted that he take pictures of himself while throwing some balls, the president was delayed in entering the stadium and the game had to start without him.
“Despite all his efforts to get the privilege of making the first pitch, Hoover missed the opportunity: he allowed himself to be distracted from his goal.” (At The Top, p.230)
Lost time is never found again
President Hoover was distracted by the cameras and the public’s attention.
For a few minutes, his thoughts were blurred from the purpose of his presence at that baseball stadium.
And when he realized how much time he had lost. It was already too late.
Benjamin Franklin said a few words that perhaps were never noticed by President Herbert Hoover, despite being in the political environment.
“Lost time is never found again.”
Benjamin Franklin
If he had thought about this, that Thursday, October 1, 1931, in front of 38,529 people gathered at Sportsman’s Park III in St. Louis, President Hoover would have managed to throw that first pitch in the well-known first game of the Baseball World Series of the United States between Philadelphia and St. Louis.
St. Louis defeat Philadelphia
After losing to the Athletics in the 1930 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals sought revenge in 1931.
And so it was, managing to win the World Series (4–3) against the Philadelphia Athletics.
Takeaway Insight
You have goals that you want to achieve, and you don’t want your own mistakes to be the ones that prevent you from achieving them.
It is the moments that we stop focusing that we can fall into the trap of losing sight of the objective.
You may not miss a chance to pitch in the World Series, but you do miss even bigger opportunities.
Always keep your goals well defined and do not allow anything or anyone to take you out of focus. Your mission is to fulfill your commitment, whatever the cost.
