Hustle Like a Champion! Hustle in this context - doing whatever it takes (legally) to achieve a goal. Mine was more of a dream I'd say - Seeing Tennis at Wimbledon! I've been fascinated by the game all my life and my family and I love seeing and playing tennis. I'd only heard stories of how privileged one has to be to visit Wimbledon and getting tickets to the matches is next to impossible unless you pay an exorbitant price or win the ballot! I'd also heard of a queuing up option for hours with some chance of getting a pass; not a very enticing choice with so much effort and uncertainty. I was in London this Summer and Wimbledon started in the first week of July! With no ticket or any way to get one, all I had was a crazy desire to go see it while I was in the vicinity. I decided to take the train and head to Wimbledon and check out this queuing up option. I had planned to get a glimpse of whatever I could and jump back on the train in a couple of hours, as this option just seemed too out there. I got to Wimbledon Station at 9 am. I saw hundreds of folks walking, so I followed them to the matches. I observed signs for non-ticket holders pointing to a specific entrance. I saw thousands of folks walking around, lining up for coffee, merchandise and the bathroom. I got into the wrong lines several times and then was directed to go to a Q flag and get a number. I walked to the flag and to my amazement there was a method to this madness! They were handing out cards with a number based on when you join the line and then you just wait patiently and hope for the best! There was an entire design thinking process going on and the ground was filled with all age groups in winding lines. I got my card, got in the line and what followed was meeting people from different countries and making new friends who stood in front and behind you. We sat for hours and it rained a lot that day and we were all cold and soaked. We kept moving up as they let people in; thousands had showed up the previous evening or then came early morning. I was one of the last people to enter the line. After 5 hours of waiting, our line started moving and then came my chance!!! It was a surreal feeling to experience the magic in all that chaos. The phrase 'Queuing Up Like a Champion' is a hustle to be proud of! I got to see world class players, eat strawberries and cream, buy resale tickets for center court and stayed there until almost midnight! All of it for 30 pounds! I repeated the same process the next day on a much sunnier day and made new friends again and saw thrilling matches with more crowd this time This was a very privileged hustle! Kudos to all the hustlers who queue up each day for hours for buses and trains, stand in line for basic necessities such as food and water and those who go all out to chase their dreams when it seems impossible...Let's teach our kids the power of hustle big or small in education, sports, jobs, careers and opportunities that come unannounced!
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I was there on Sunday!
CEO| Board Member | Strategy building | Global Experience
1moThank you for sharing this! Positive hustle is truly all around us. Glad you got in and got to see some great matches.