Monday, January 09, 2012

Pull the Trigger

by C.L. Phillips

True confession.  I'm a Denver Broncos fan.  That might not be the most popular thing to admit this morning after last night's game between the Steelers and Broncos.  My obsession started waaay back, when John Elway looked more like an Adonis than an aging football executive.

I suffered through years of lost expectations and mismanaged hopes.  This year looked bleak.  Until Elway, in a fit of what I can only view as desperation, gave into the horde of screaming fans and started Tim Tebow.

What happened next looked like a miracle.  Victory followed victory.  Then a three game slump.  Last night, instead of losing as predicted, something unexpected happened. 

Tebow pulled the trigger.

John Elway was quoted in the press, saying that Tebow needed to pull the trigger, cast caution to the wind, stop asking if he were a worthy quarterback.  Pull the trigger.  Don't look back.  Or in Nike parlance, just do it.

This morning, I wonder how I can apply that advice to my own writing career.

Pull the trigger.

Where in your life are you holding back?  Wondering if you should?  If you could?

Pull the trigger. 

Denver's tumultuous season may end next week, but last night, for one glorious moment, they looked capable of playing for the Super Bowl.

What is your Super Bowl?

Pull the trigger.

13 comments:

Joyce Tremel said...

I'm probably the only person in Pittsburgh who isn't in mourning today, but I don't like football. Or the Steelers. I recently heard that the actually playing time in a professional football game is 11 minutes. And they get paid millions of dollars for it.

You're probably safe posting your love of the Broncos now, Cindy. I think most Pittsburghers will be cheering them on since Denver will be playing the hated Patriots.

Ricky Bush said...

I pulled the trigger on subbing my RIVER BOTTOM BLUES manuscript to a small press in October. Time will tell if I hit the right target,

Working Stiffs said...

Joyce,

Whew! Glad you hear that. :)

Ricky,

Congratulations. Tell us more. What made you pull the trigger?

Gina said...

Joyce -
You are not alone. I am so sick to death of hearing about every time Ben stubs his toe, or having sports bs take up 85% of every news cast, that I even resent pulling up Working Stiffs this morning and finding sports again. Enough already!

C.L. Phillips said...

Message received. No more sports. Got it.

Still, I'm thinking Pull the Trigger is such a cute little tag line.

And what a great book title. :)

Patg said...

I'm not a sports fan, OR won something down in CA on New Year's that got everyone excited.
I keep reaching for the 'gun' but I never seem to get around to firing it. Ref: Manuscripts.
Soon.
Patg

Joyce Tremel said...

Nice to know I'm not alone!

I don't DARE turn on the radio or TV today, though.

NL Gassert said...

I signed up for the Urban Dare, an Amazing Race-like one day scavenger hunt. I’m not athletic and certainly in no shape to jog the city, but it sounded like fun and is so very much out of my comfort zone that it practically begged me to “pull the trigger” and just go for it. I hope to do more fun things this year that have me stepping out of my safe zone. Luckily, I have friends who don’t mind being dragged along.

Nadja

C.L. Phillips said...

Nadja,

Wow - I admire what you are doing. I'd love to know how your race turns out. What an idea.

Thanks for sharing!

Ramona said...

I am generally not a sports fan, but on behalf of my family and heritage--and my college alma mater--allow me to say this today: Geaux Tigers! Beat Bama!

Annette said...

I see no Steelers fans showed up here yesterday to comment. I think we were all feeling a bit hung over. So on behalf of the Steeler nation, let me congratulate the Broncos. I'll cheer for you guys next week ONLY because I hate the Patriots.

Yes, I'm in mourning, but I don't feel there was any shame in our loss on Sunday. Most of our first string was injured and Iron Man Ben was only at about 30 percent. Yet we came close. Sooo close.

On behalf of Steelers fans everywhere, see you all next year.

C.L. Phillips said...

Ramona,

I've got the gumbo on the stove. :) Save you a spot at the table?

Annette,

May your Steelers recover their strength and surprise you next year!

NL Gassert said...

Update: I did the Urban Dare challenge with my good friend and it took us 2 hrs and 7 mins. We had great fun and will do it again next year. My friend made me promise that next year I'd actually run/jog :-)

We came in 69th.

Nadja