Play like this.

It’s the end of July.

We all made resolutions and goals and promises in January. And then, in what feels like the blink of an eye, December will sneak up on us and make us wonder, “Where did the year go?”

Today, though, I want us to pause and realize we’ve got 5 months left in the year. We’ve got more than 150 days left to hustle and work and laugh and play at the things that matter to us.

It’s a new month. A new chance to dust back off something that was important in January, but got lost in the bustle of March. And, as you do, I want to show you a photo that inspired me to look at August in a new way.

It’s a basketball card I found in a box of my old stuff in the attic.

In the photo Gary Payton is firing off an amazing pass.

Do you see the joy?

Do you see the aggression?

Do you see the passion?

Do you see the drive?

This is how I want to play. This is how I want you to play.

Unbridled, unfettered, unaware that anyone’s watching.

If I could make this into a poster I would.

It’s a new month. Whatever you’re working on, whatever you’re dreaming on, play like Gary Payton played basketball in this photo.

Jump into August like it’s January, and then laugh at December when it tries to sneak up on you.