Ted Lasso: You Matter – I See You!
What we learn from Ted Lasso – You Matter – I See You! by Diane Mitchell-Miller
Be like a goldfish, and you’ll be happy, according to Ted Lasso, the protagonist professional soccer coach in Apple TV+’s feel-good comedy. But why? “Because goldfish have 10-second memories and never dwell on past mistakes and failures,” Ted tells his team after a difficult loss.
I find it inspiring, uplifting, and hopeful to watch the Ted Lasso characters on their journeys toward a better life and a better world.
Ted Lasso shines a light on mental illness, anxiety, divorce – it brings real mental health issues into a fictional workplace and makes it safe to talk about.
Despite his internal sadness, Ted personifies genuine optimism, hopefulness and empathy —traits that are paramount to fulfilling lives. He is also inclusive including everybody regardless of title and rank —he cultivates BELONGING.
The show accentuates the unconditional and uncompromising kindness that he shows to everyone. With sincerity and kindness Ted likes to say, “I appreciate you” and then does so in action.
Believe! Ted hands a visual sign saying “Believe” in the locker room. He taps it when hoping to achieve a big win or achieve a goal. “I think it’s the lack of hope that comes and gets you. See, I believe in hope. I believe in belief,” he says.
Ted highlights team unity and relying on one another for support over the cutthroat society we may find ourselves in. “For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field,” he says.
One of Ted’s hallmarks is “biscuits with the Boss,” where he brings homemade shortbread cookies to Rebecca every day. Takeaway: simple gestures, biscuits, and thoughtful notes make profound differences in people’s lives. He communicated in action and in word – YOU MATTER, I SEE YOU!
Ted is hands-on – living in the middle of the story with his tribe. As Ted says, “If you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain’t nothing you can’t get through together.”
I’m hoping and praying this book will somehow be the Ted Lasso message of care, concern, and hope that is so desperately needed in our world. I hope it’s the wake-up call that allows you to cultivate the best version of yourself. Someone that believes in HOPE, in meaning, and in caring for one another.
I pray that a tribe of people will begin to live with intentional purpose and meaning, ultimately improving society and one another. I’m believing that by caring for ourselves and our distracted minds we can go into the world a stronger version of ourselves. When we bring this strength and energy to our tribes we will have a ripple effect on the world.
Above all, may we aspire to be a goofball soccer coach with a passion for spreading smiles regardless of his circumstances, one sweet biscuit at a time.
“To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.”—Confucius.