Justin Langer: How people like Adam Simpson, Jonty Rhodes and John Stevenson taught me lessons in 2024

A simple text message from The West journalist Jess Page got me thinking this week.

“Hey Justin, would you have 5 mins spare to be part of a story I’m pulling together for The West re. your new year resolution and hopes/dreams for WA in 2025? Let me know if you have time, I know the holiday/cricket season is busy!! 🎄 Jess Page”

The reason it got my mind ticking over was because there is always a lot of attention drawn to resolutions, but I wonder if we spend enough time reflecting on the year that has already been.

Poet William Wordsworth wrote: “Life is divided into three terms — that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future.”

Great lessons can be provided from days gone by, and Jess’s message about how I hope to — as Wordsworth wrote “live better in the future” — had me looking back on what’s been one of the best years of my life.

There have been times in 2024 where my brain felt like it was bursting from all I’ve learnt. This has incorporated times of pressure and awe, and ups and downs. But through it all, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

The six big lessons of the year have been:

1. Move like water — go with the flow.

Or as Lao Tzu said: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them — that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

Early in the year I was lucky to spend 10 weeks in India coaching in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In the subcontinent, chaos dances with harmony on roads where rules are mere suggestions. Everyday life is a living, breathing puzzle where cars, tuk-tuks, motorbikes, stray dogs and sacred cows weave an intricate tapestry of movement. In that amazing country, a car horn isn’t an angry fist raised in protest, but a gentle whisper saying, “Just letting you know, I’m here beside you – and I am coming through”.

Driving in India is like chess — moving in all directions while keeping your destination in sight.

Jonty Rhodes, who I coached with in Lucknow, has spent years immersing himself in the Indian culture and his wisdom had a big impact on me.

While wrestling his motorbike through Lucknow’s bustling streets, he discovered a profound truth: where Western cultures clutch tightly to personal space and entitlement, India embraces the collective flow. In a nation of 1.5 billion souls, space isn’t owned it’s shared.

His revelation echoes an ancient truth: be like water. Instead of fighting the chaos, flow with it. In this “wonderful nightmare”, as Hemingway might say, lies a powerful lesson: embrace rather than resist, flow rather than fight. For, in accepting the beautiful chaos of life, we find an unexpected peace.

Easier said than done, but a liberating lesson for me.

2. Take on new challenges _ get out of your comfort zone.

Yeah, yeah, I can almost hear you say “If I wanted a motivational book of cliches I would buy one for Christmas”. That’s fair enough, but after this year I can confirm the power and joy that can come from taking on big challenges.

Another famous poet Mark Twain wrote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

After finishing up coaching the Australian men’s cricket team, I believed my coaching days were over. For nearly three years, I explored different fields, and I must admit I loved every minute of it.

But when the Lucknow Super Giants offered me a role in the IPL I decided to jump back in — and I’m glad I did.

Despite the fickleness of coaching, the time away from home and the pressures that come with the role, I was reminded about why I went into coaching in the first place. The stress was worth every second of it.

When I returned home, I did the Australian Institute of Directors, company’s directors’ course. Recognizing I hadn’t studied since I was 18 years old, the course stole my happiness for about four months. It was tough and demanding, and as challenging a project as I have taken on for a long time.

Thank goodness I did it. As you will see in my next lessons.

3. Play what’s in front of you _ one ball at a time.

When I was a batsman, the greatest lesson I learned was to give all my intention to the next ball bowled. This is simply called concentration. The ball before was out of my control, as was the one after, but ‘this ball’ was the one I could do something about.

A part of my pre-ball routine was to say the words, ‘this ball’, as a reminder to stay focused on what I could control or at least deal with.

When I finished the company director’s course, the common theme amongst the group of participants was, “knowing what we know now, who would ever be a company director?!”’

We all laughed about it at the time, but during the year, I had a taste of the challenges of being a board member of both the West Coast Eagles and Mineral Resources.

There were times when the pressure was intense, but through all the noise, fears, opinions and speculation, the biggest lesson was to play what is in front of me. Concentrate on the issues and make decisions on the information you in front of you.

The words of the prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference”, was a simple reminder of this.

Notwithstanding the heat and responsibility, the learnings have been immeasurable.

4. Treat people with respect and dignity

One of those tough decisions made as a board member of the West Coast Eagles was on the tenure of Adam Simpson, the very popular head coach.

Through all the passion and ferocity which comes from emotion, and which is lapped up by the media, I had a valuable philosophy re-enforced.

Through honest conversations and a willingness from everyone to find a healthy resolution — with respect and dignity front of mind — the outcome was as good as I have seen in sport.

Adam showed class under fire, and I was proud of the football club for the way a tough situation was handled. Such departures are rare in the corporate or sporting worlds.

Treating each other with respect and dignity in everyday life would solve many of today’s troublesome issues.

5. Forgive and move forward _ let go of the poison

I know a person who I believe was very unfair and at times hyper critical of me.

Seeing them, or even thinking of them, triggered a poor response. A few months ago, I read about their retirement.

Having known this person for more than 30 years I decided to write them a short message of congratulations on their career, and while reminding them I didn’t always agree with their assessment of me, I did respect their longevity and achievements.

An hour later I received a remarkable reply, in essence thanking me for the note and telling me I had lifted the world off their shoulders.

This simple exchange reminded me of the power of forgiveness and moving forward.

6. One step and a time, small goals to achieve life-changing outcomes.

Through the year I watched an inspiring transformation from a man I hardly know.

John Stevenson is often at the café I frequent when I am at home. In the last year he has lost 30 kilograms.

Speaking to him yesterday John told me that this time last year he was tired of feeling overweight and depressed and vowed to do something about it.

First, he decided to get up and walk each day — then he set a weekly distance goal.

He reduced his booze intake, and on February 24, decided to cut alcohol out totally for four weeks. When that small goal was achieved, he kept it rolling with little goals, and now he says it is “over 300 days since I had a drink”.

He started beach walks, then a walk and a swim, and before he knew it, he was swimming in the middle of the winter. Inspired, he reduced his food intake. From setting small targets, he was getting big results.

In his words: “Because I am out and about, my attitude changed, and good things just seemed to start to happen — mentally and physically. And I feel much better. Consistency and small goals are proving to be the key.”

Like John, I hope your next year can be as transformative and inspiring.

Merry Christmas, have fun, enjoy reflecting, and keep resolving.