On Saturday I attended the preseason game of the Arizona Cardinals vs. the Houston Texans. My group of friends had great seats–just eight rows back from the action. We went to see the game and also to support my friend’s girlfriend who is in her second year of cheering for the Cardinals. Since she is active in a lot of the pre-game celebration, we made sure to arrive well before kick-off.
I loved it.
I’m a big fan of the University of Phoenix Stadium–and not simply because it is beautifully air conditioned on a hot AZ summer day. There is a great energy enclosed in side of it, and I loved watching how pumped up the crowd got as kick off came closer.
The team ran out to fire (really, 20′ high flames on both sides of the entrance tunnel)
The Cardinals mascot did flips.
The music got louder and louder, playing bursts of popular songs (I definitely noticed Lil Jon’s “Outta Your Mind” revving up the crowd).
The video screens played an intense montage of training and the “battle” of football.
The cheerleaders lined the sidelines, encouraging the crowd through quick choreographed sequences.
It was easily five minutes of solid energy-increasing “entertainment.”
Except that it wasn’t “entertainment.” By the time the five minutes were up and the kick-off actually took place, I was ready to attempt to run it back (no worries: my size, lack of football experience, and the sanity of my friends prevented me from taking such action).
But I think that is the point. We sometimes think “entertainment” is passive, but this was almost “activetainment.” I wanted to take immediate and powerful action. If you had told me to sprint in that moment, I honestly believe I’d be able to run a little bit faster than if you asked me to sprint right now. I was focused then. I was motivated.
I can only imagine how the players felt.
So here’s my question: do you do your own “activetainment” to start your day?
I think the answer for most of us honestly is “no.” I’ll admit to being a bit slow to rise this morning. I was slower to embrace my tasks and my responsibilities.
And yet, I really do love my job.
So I actually tossed on a bit of music, and thought about getting “pumped up” for the day.
Do me a favor: try it for a few days. Sure it might feel a bit cheesy, but I think we need to get a little bit more energized to go to work.
Pro athletes do it. Let’s see how it might work for you.