The time Derek Jeter wore a golden thong
The first time he put on the golden thong it was 1996.
He was batting .193, and in the middle of a wicked slump. When the best are going through it, they're willing to try anything to get back to baseline and beyond. This was certainly a unique way to try something new.
He put it on, walked out of the dugout, and up to the plate.
2 pitches in, and he was on base. The golden thong was here to stay.
While he's never shared the origin of the legendary thong, it became a thing - for him and his teammates. He'd wash the thong between slumps or shares (thank goodness), and put it on each time, he swore he'd get a hit his first time at bat.
He believed in it so much he even gave it to Derek Jeter amidst an 0-32 streak.
And sure enough, Jeter got a hit the next time he was at the plate.
Jason Giambi became a legend for the golden thong. It's just one of hundreds of quirky rituals the best athletes in the world engage in to ease their mind or give themselves extra confidence.
There’s a power in having something to turn to when you’re not performing well. Something that helps you believe in yourself again and feel hopeful for the future.
While I can't tell you that a thong will help you, too, I can tell you that finding your own ritual - a thing you can return to when you're down, or not performing up to par - is tremendously helpful.
For me, it's learning something new. When I feel down, stuck, or like I'm sucking at what I'm trying to do, I pour myself into learning a new skill. That unsticks me, and helps me move forward again - usually with a new perspective or tool.
Your challenge today is to find your golden thong.
What can you do, when the chips are down, to get yourself out of a rut?