How’s your swing?

“If you think you are going to hit a home run with every pitch, you are mistaken.”

I woke up discouraged this morning. I had time to write, and my mind was full of ideas, but when I sat down to actually create…….nothing. The tank was empty. No flow, no fruit.

Some of my frustration can be traced back to the quote above. Too often, I’m my own worst enemy. Ideas are like pitches, and I keep swinging for a home run every time. As I write this now, I’ve decided to shift my mindset. What if I just focus on making contact? There’s much more freedom in a realistic expectation.

I wonder how many of us are stuck because we’re carrying unrealistic expectations—in our work, relationships, spiritual lives?

It reminds me of one of my favorite holiday movies: Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold is the poster child for unrealistic expectations. He pours everything into creating the perfect Christmas—so much so that when things don’t go his way, he grabs a chainsaw and starts thrashing through his problems. A chainsaw!

As ashamed as I am to admit it, I’ve had my own “chainsaw moments.” When my expectations aren’t met, I can spiral. I shift into “thrashing mode,” hacking away at anything in my path—emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

But here’s what I’ve learned: When the manic, frustrated, overwhelmed mood takes over, it’s time to pause and check my expectations.

• Am I striking out because I’m swinging for a home run every time?
• Am I reading the pitch life is throwing me?
• Am I adjusting my swing to match reality—or just hacking away with unrealistic pressure?

This morning, the pitch came in the form of gentle, scattered ideas. But I was expecting to write the next viral blog post that would change the world. That’s a mismatch. That’s a strikeout waiting to happen.

So, I slowed down my swing. I made contact with what was right in front of me. And this post—this simple, honest reflection—is the result.

It’s not a home run. But it’s a solid base hit. And base hits win ball games too.

So I ask you again: How’s your swing?