Last night, during practice ten with a team of OSU grapplers, we learned a bit more about the language of the elite. Elite performers in every domain share many traits in common including how they talk to themselves. They are hard on themselves without getting down on themselves. They practice and perform with an obsessive eye toward improving. Sure they may be hard on other selves around them. They are hardest, however, on themselves. Study excellence anywhere and you’ll see this truth. Who are you hardest on, friend? And, if you’re hardest on yourself, are you overjoyed at the prospect of getting better or overwhelmed with how far you’ve got to go?
Last night a team of talented grapplers was reminded that there is no substitute for the push from within. Coaches, fathers, peers, and countless others can provide an endless array of helpful hints. The fire within has got to be there, at a minimum, slowly smoldering on it’s own before any kick in the pants can have any lasting affect. Are you starting your own fire, friend? Do you have a big dream worth your absolute best effort?
Long ago, in a land far, far away a man named Lao Tzu put his philosophy in a 5000 character gem known as the Tao Te Ching (The Way and its Power). Talk about some ccd magic, here it is. Here’s but a taste for those still tracking. His answer to grappling your way to another National Championship, World Championship, or Olympic Gold was one and the same. You may want to extrapolate this to your personal endeavor too, friend. I guarantee it applies.
“If you want to be out front, then act as if you were behind.”
BUILT TO LEAD 