When your Point In Time That Changes Everything is Revealed

Each of us has something special—a distinct advantage that sets us apart from others.

My mentor helped me realize this, patiently guiding me to discover my unique strengths and passions. Finding your distinct advantage, that thing you are passionate about and gifted at is the first step toward life-changing success. And once you find it, you’ll experience what I call your “PITTChE”—the Point In Time That Changes Everything.

The Journey to Discovery

When I was young, my mom kept a little book that held my keepsakes—report cards, awards, newspaper clippings. Each year, I’d write down what I wanted to be when I grew up. As far back as second grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a baseball player. Baseball was everything to me, and it still holds a special place in my heart today.

If you ask my wife, she’ll tell you I’ll move mountains to hear or watch a Cincinnati Reds game. And though I didn’t become a Major League Baseball player, baseball is still a significant part of my life. It has shaped the way I view challenges and opportunities, often through the lens of sports analogies.

Life Through Baseball: Embracing the Pitches

As I’ve traveled the world and worked with people searching for their own breakthrough moments, I began to view life like baseball. In baseball, everything starts with the pitcher delivering a pitch, and in life, the “pitches” come in many forms—opportunities, challenges, and decisions.

First pitch: Outside, ball one. You didn’t want that pitch anyway. In life, sometimes you pass on an opportunity, just like you might pass on a job offer or a date that doesn’t feel right.

Second pitch: Strike one, caught on the corner. You weren’t ready, but life throws uncertainty your way. Even the best hitters face strikes, but they don’t give up—they learn, bounce back, and keep going.

Third pitch: Another ball. This time, you’re ready, but you choose not to swing. Knowing when to pass on an opportunity can be just as important as knowing when to go for it.

Fourth pitch: You swing and miss—strike two. Failure is part of the game. In life, taking chances doesn’t always lead to success, but it does lead to growth. Every miss is a lesson that prepares you for the next swing.

Fifth pitch: A big swing, the ball flies, but it’s foul. You’ve learned to accept, adjust, and advance. Even when things look promising, roadblocks happen. Success often requires resilience and a willingness to adapt.

But you’re still in the game—two balls, two strikes—and then comes the pitch you’ve been waiting for. This time, you swing, and it’s a home run. The crowd goes wild. Your team celebrates with you. This was your moment, your Point In Time That Changed Everything.

My PITTChE: Not the Plane Crash, But What Followed

After surviving the plane crash on the Hudson River, many people assumed that was my defining moment—my PITTChE. But it wasn’t. It came a few days later when I realized that life’s moments—big and small—all matter. Each builds on the next, preparing you for that pivotal time when everything changes.

Such as when you may lose a job, a relationship, or a pandemic ravages your world.

The crash wasn’t the end of my story. It was the beginning of a journey that led me to share the lessons my mentors had taught me. My mission now is simple: to help others find their own distinct advantage and achieve their greatest potential.

Conclusion: Your PITTChE Awaits

We all face moments of uncertainty, from business setbacks to personal challenges. But as in baseball, as long as you’re at bat, there’s always another pitch coming. Your PITTChE—the moment that changes everything—may be just around the corner. The important thing is to be ready, to keep swinging, and never to stop learning from each pitch life throws your way.

I discovered my pathway after the crash, which led me to help others unlock their potential, unleash their extraordinary selves, and transform their lives.

What’s your distinct advantage? What will be your PITTChE? Remember, if you don’t take a swing, you’ll never hit the ball out of the park.