Sharp as a tack!
Having completed a number of assignments with my team since 1 June 2022 in my boutique consulting firm, Scilla, with the main field of expertise within FMCG (I look forward to revealing our official accounts in Feb/March), we have had a great start of 2023 as well with two new clients already. During a nice Christmas break with no activity, I reflected upon some of the clients and my team members I have met over the last 7-8 months. What stands out? One thing that strikes me is the expression "sharp as a tack". They are mentally acute, clever, intelligent, and mentally alert:
«She is sharp as a razor. She is very witty. She has a cutting edge. She is sharp as a tack.»
Last weekend, I was not sharp as a tack, and this triggered my reflection further to the expression "sharp as a tack" (An expression by the way used from the mid-1800s and then "sharp as a needle or thorn"):
Inspired by the world chess champion, Magnus Carlsen, I joined the open Norwegian chess championship in the rating class 1400-1800, class B (Class A is above 1800 and where the really good players take part) last weekend in Drammen (a city close to Oslo). It was my comeback, my first tournament in more than 30 years! When I left chess, my rating was around 1750, I was a local youth chess champion in my hometown at that time, so I should have had a good chance of a decent placement.
But it was a big disappointment. My rating performance turned out to be around 1400 in the tournament, 3 out of 10 points, and way down on the results list. Had I become such a bad chess player?
The key, in my mind, is this: I was not sharp as a tack! Why? Any learnings?
I had not practiced for the tournament or for that sake over the last 30 years. All the other players had much better openings. I hadn´t necessarily gotten worse, just the other players had become much better! Talent is not enough. It´s hard work. If you stand still, you lose. You have to constantly develop. You can not take anything for granted.
I was not mentally prepared for the tournament, and playing across a chess board. This was completely different than the online chess board. I was not mentally where I should have been.
Moreover, I underestimated some of the young players. In the first game, I was completely beaten by a 14-year-old guy from Oslo. And I was bad at looking into the next game with fresh eyes. I made so many blunders, not just on Saturday, but also on Sunday. My mind got into a negative modus!
So next time: SHARP AS A TACK!!
