One\u2026two\u2026three\u2026four\u2026five\u2026six. \u00a0Six seconds, on average, from the snap of the ball to the official’s whistle to end the play.<\/p>\n
On the sidelines, at the beginning of every quarter, you’ll see the Vanderbilt coaching staff and players holding up six fingers. \u00a0It’s nothing to do with the number of wins for a bowl, or the memory of Jay Cutler – it’s a reminder. \u00a0Six seconds. \u00a0Nothing about the game, nothing about the scoreboard, nothing about the bowl prospects. \u00a0No looking ahead, no looking back. \u00a0Nothing in the world matters but the next six seconds.<\/p>\n
Right about the time I was leaving Vanderbilt for the last time, Mary Schmich was writing a soon-to-be-famous column in the Chicago Tribune that included the line: “Don’t worry about the future. \u00a0Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.” \u00a0Needless to say, Coach James Franklin has refined that down even further – every time the guys hit the field, there’s no thought of “what if we can’t stop them on this drive?” or “we need two touchdowns to make up the difference.” \u00a0Just one play. \u00a0Execute yours, stop theirs. \u00a0Six seconds.<\/p>\n
Ironic that the number should be six. \u00a0If you look at the archetypal personalities in the Enneagram, the Six is one who seeks security and support, and lives in fear of being without support and guidance. \u00a0Anxiety and worry are the stock in trade for the Six. \u00a0If there’s one thing a Six will struggle with more than anything else, it’s the worrying, the fretting, the abiding dread of “what if?”<\/p>\n
Coach has fixed that: ignore it. \u00a0Shut it out. \u00a0Do your job without worrying about how it will turn out, or worrying what could go wrong – just one hundred percent effort, six seconds at a time. \u00a0Don’t worry about six wins. \u00a0Don’t worry about six years since beating your arch-rival. \u00a0Don’t worry about the fact that this would only be the second such win since 1982. Don’t worry about the letdown next week against Wake. \u00a0Don’t think about the lack of a single road win all year. \u00a0Don’t think about the Vegas line making you the favorite on the road for the first time in decades in this matchup. Don’t think about the twelve times you’ve come into this game with five wins. \u00a0Don’t think about having lost all twelve. \u00a0Don’t think about the letdown in the last minute yielding a touchdown again. \u00a0Don’t think about whether their QB will come back and be 100% and throw darts all day. Don’t think about anything other than the matter at hand. \u00a0Focus on what’s in front of you, right this very instant, and do your absolute best. Then do it again.<\/p>\n
Embrace the moment. \u00a0Be here now. Life is the next six seconds.<\/p>\n
Go Dores. \u00a0Beat the Vols.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One\u2026two\u2026three\u2026four\u2026five\u2026six. \u00a0Six seconds, on average, from the snap of the ball to the official’s whistle to end the play. On the sidelines, at the beginning of every quarter, you’ll see the Vanderbilt coaching staff and players holding up six fingers. \u00a0It’s nothing to do with the number of wins for a bowl, or the memory … <\/p>\n