To the best of my knowledge, no one “Happened” into greatness or success. Some may have found it easier to achieve than others. Some may have stumbled upon it while looking at or for something else. Some may have been in the right place at the right time. But no one was sitting on the couch or lying in bed and greatness/success ‘happened’. There had to be a thought, a dream, or a vision. From there it became a goal. Then the goal took form and shape and turned into a plan-of-action. The plan-of-action took wings and work ethic, sacrifice, discipline, drive, determination, and focus came into play. And those ultimately led to success and greatness. You don’t ‘happen’ to become great…you CREATE greatness.
Michael Jordan, in his book, “I Can’t Accept Not Trying” said,
“Step by step. I can’t see any other way of accomplishing anything. I had always set short-term goals. As I look back, each one of those steps or successes led to the next one. When that happened, I set another goal, a reasonable, manageable goal that I could realistically achieve if I worked hard enough. Each time I visualized where I wanted to be, what kind of player I wanted to become.
I guess I approached it with the end [result] in mind. I knew exactly where I wanted to go, and I focused on getting there. As I reached those goals, they built on one another. I gained a little [more] confidence every time I came through. So by the time I reached North Carolina, I had built up the confidence I needed to compete. It was all mental for me. I never wrote anything down. I just concentrated on the next step.
I think I could have applied that approach to anything I might have chosen to do. It’s no different from the person whose ultimate goal is to become a [neurosurgeon]. If that’s your goal and you’re getting C’s in biology, then the first thing you have to do is get B’s in biology, and then A’s. You have to perfect the first step and then move on to chemistry or physics.
Take those small steps. Otherwise you’re opening yourself up to all kinds of frustration. Where would your confidence come from if the only measure of success was becoming a [neurosurgeon]? If you tried as hard as you could and didn’t become a [neurosurgeon], would that mean your whole life was a failure? Of course not.
If you’ve done your best, then you will have had some accomplishments along the way. Not everyone is going to get the entire picture. Not everyone is going to be the greatest salesman or the greatest basketball player. Bu you can still be considered one of the best, and you can still be considered a success.
That’s why I’ve always set short-term goals. Whether it’s golf, basketball, business, family life, or even baseball, I set goals – realistic goals – and I focus on them. I ask questions. I read. I listen. [I learn]. I did the same thing in baseball with the Chicago White Sox. I’m not afraid to ask anybody anything I don’t know. Why should I be afraid? I’m trying to get somewhere. Help me, give me direction. Nothing wrong with that.
Step by step, I can’t see any other way of accomplishing anything.”
Unfortunately I see and hear of so many competitors who speak of the coveted ‘Pro Card’. Here’s where I have to be real with you guys. The majority of you will never get a pro card. It just won’t happen. And for those that DO get the card, in essence, their career is over unless they happen to be one of the elite competitors with great genetics, great gear, and a great mindset and work ethic. Everyone cannot be Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Tiger Woods. But because I say more likely than not you won’t get a Pro Card doesn’t mean you should give up on your training or quit chasing your dreams and goals. I’ve had more success as a small local competitor than most of the ‘Big Boys’, and I’m perfectly satisfied with that. I reached the pinnacle of MY potential. I stopped chasing the wrong dream – a dream that was unrealistic and unattainable – 2-3 years into training and settled on becoming the best ME I could become. Just because I couldn’t become the ‘Neurosurgeon’ didn’t mean I couldn’t become a top-notch Physician’s Assistant, so to speak. I had a great career. I wouldn’t change a thing.
You have a little more than 3 weeks to pull together your perfection. Don’t let yourself down. Do everything you’re supposed to do for the remaining time. The day of the show, you don’t want to ‘wish’ you’d done everything right. Do it right now. Be Perfect Today.
Doc
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