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CRICKET AUSTRALIA

RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Based on an article titled

“There Is No Formula or Timetable for Athletic Success”

By Dr. Jim Taylor

Shared by Richard Patterson (Cricket Victoria Umpiring Manager)

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RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Wouldn't it be great if the

demanding role of

Umpiring Cricket had a

formula that you could

follow to be successful?

Imagine if you had a list of

things you simply needed

to do and you would have

a 100-percent chance of

performing at your best

every time and always

getting the results you

want.

A veritable recipe for umpiring

success

CRICKET AUSTRALIA

RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Don't you wish that it was like taking a test in school? There is a formula for that

• You pay attention in class, do your homework, and study diligently for the test.

Or even better baking a cake which has a fool proof step by step recipe.

• 1 spoon of sugar; 4 cups of flour etc then bake in hot oven for 2 hours.

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CRICKET AUSTRALIA

RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Frustratingly, officiating just doesn't work that way. There aren't the same

certainties involved. You can do everything right and you still may not get

the results you want. But one thing is clear. If you don't do everything you

can, you will have zero chance of achieving your goals.

Which brings us to another frustrating aspect of sports officiating. Not only is

there no formula for success, but there is also no timetable for success.

Opportunity just doesn't unfold the way you want it to when you want it to.

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RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

The good news is that you may get great results when you least expect them. That is always a big bonus for your efforts, but it's definitely not something to count on.

The bad news is that the results you want often take much longer than you had expected.

And the really bad news is that those results that you devote so much time and effort to achieving may never materialize - that is the inherent risk of giving your heart and soul to something so challenging.

The reason that sports officiating has no formula and no timetable is that it is incredibly unpredictable and largely uncontrollable. There is no way to tell how long it will take to reach your goals, or if, in fact, you ever will.

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RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Think of all of those things that create this

massive uncertainty and

uncontrollability, both within and

outside you.

Though you can work out in the gym

maniacally, you can't really control

your physical development.

There is also fatigue, burnout, illness, and

injury.

Technical and tactical progress definitely

comes with experience and doesn't

always immediately translate into

results.

And don't even get me started on how

unpredictable the mental side of

officiating is.

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RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

As far as the external factors that add to the

challenge of officiating, the list is long.

Weather conditions, other competitors, work

life balance, and just plain bad luck can

all conspire to ruin a tournament or a

season in which you are supremely

prepared to perform your best and get

the results you want.

It's actually quite remarkable that, with all the

uncertainty, anyone is able to put

together a successful performance. Yet

we see amazing performances every

day in a wide range of sports.

This realization should give you hope - it

shows that it actually is possible to

overcome all those factors that are

outside your control and find success in

being a sports official.

CRICKET AUSTRALIA

RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

So in the absence of a clear formula or a defined timetable, and in the

face of all this uncertainty and unpredictability, what can you do to

keep yourself committed to your goals? Here are a few ideas.

Let your passion drive you. Your love for the experience of sports

(e.g., training, travel, teammates, competing) must override your

love of results.

CRICKET AUSTRALIA

RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Have goals, not expectations. It's

great to set goals for yourself, because they can motivate you. But expectations can create anxiety and pressure that prevent you from ever achieving your goals.

Be patient. Success can't be rushed. Instead, give yourself the time to achieve your officiating goals. (It usually takes longer than you think it will). Of equal importance are the steps to achieve your goals – list them down and commit to them!

Have trust. Believe in every aspect of your officiating, including your natural ability, effort, coachability, commitment and training.

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RECIPE FOR UMPIRING SUCCESS

Have hope. As discussed, there is no

guarantee that your best efforts will

be rewarded with high performance,

good results, and accomplishing all

your sports goals.

But hope - namely the basic belief

that if you give your best effort, good

things will happen - will take you as

far as you can go.

Have perspective. If your results don't

work out the way you want them to,

take the long and broad view of

everything you got out of officiating,

including amazing experiences,

meeting great people, and powerful

lessons that will serve you well

throughout your life.