Posted on January 13, 2014
Most of us have an inner desire to become excellent at something — to become special.
The question is:
How can we maximize our talent?
How can we make the best possible use of our abilities both on and off the court?
We do not all begin from the same starting point.
Some people are naturally given more physical or athletic tools than others. LeBron James, for example, was born with physical gifts far beyond those of the average person.
But maximizing our abilities has very little to do with where our talent begins.
There are countless stories of players who were considered exceptional talents but never reached a meaningful level because of:
- poor work habits,
- lack of discipline,
- attitude,
- or personal choices.
Daniel Coyle, author of The Talent Code, summarizes the idea well:
Talent is shaped less by what we are born with than by what we repeatedly do.
The following five principles can help players move closer to the limits of their potential.
1. Great Players Know Their Why
Great players have a purpose.
They have a mission.
They understand who they are and what they want to achieve.
They know what will be required to turn their dreams into reality.
Most importantly, they understand why they play.
They know why they get out of bed in the morning.
Players who live and work with a clear sense of purpose are less likely to give up after a few failures because they understand the larger picture.
Purpose gives direction.
It becomes a compass for the journey.
And when purpose creates passion, it becomes easier to remain committed to the dream.
Great players understand their why.
2. Great Players Have an Action Plan
Once you understand why you want something, the next question is:
How are you going to achieve it?
How will you reach your goals?
How will you move from good to better?
Great players understand that what brought them to their current level may not be enough to take them to the next one.
They need a detailed plan.
That plan should address both:
- strengths that can become even more effective,
- and weaknesses that may limit future development.
Major success rarely happens without preparation.
Just as a team needs a game plan, an athlete needs a development plan.
Great players have clearly defined goals and an action plan for achieving them.
And ideally, they put those goals in writing.
3. Great Players Turn Everything into a Challenge
When it comes to work ethic and competitive mentality, Kevin Garnett provides a powerful example.
Despite already building an extraordinary career, Garnett was known for approaching everyday practice with exceptional intensity.
He competed constantly.
Whether it was:
- a shooting competition before practice,
- a regular training session,
- or Game 7 of the NBA Finals,
the objective was the same:
compete.
Doc Rivers described how Garnett’s intensity did not appear only during practice.
It shaped his entire day.
On the court and away from it, his attitude influenced the atmosphere of the team.
Great players find ways to compete.
They turn ordinary situations into challenges.
4. Great Players Believe in Themselves
This may be the most important of the five principles.
Great players expect a high standard from themselves because they have worked for the right to expect it.
Kobe Bryant consistently represented this mentality.
The best players believe they can succeed regardless of who is standing in front of them.
They do not begin competition by wondering whether the opponent might be better.
Their preparation has created confidence.
But self-belief is not simply arrogance or positive thinking.
It is supported by mental discipline.
Great players understand that they must control:
- their actions,
- their reactions,
- their habits,
- and their behaviour.
Confidence becomes powerful when it is built on preparation.
5. Great Players Are Lifelong Learners
Great players understand that they cannot reach the limits of their potential completely alone.
They need:
- teammates,
- coaches,
- mentors,
- and people willing to challenge them.
One of the lessons associated with Doc Rivers expresses this idea well:
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Great players understand the value of becoming wiser.
They listen to the experience of:
- coaches,
- mentors,
- teammates,
- and other people who can help guide them.
They continue learning.
They remain curious.
They understand that development never truly finishes.
At the same time, nobody else can do the learning for them.
The responsibility remains their own.
Maximizing Talent
Natural ability matters.
But ability alone does not determine how far a player will go.
Potential must be developed.
That requires:
- knowing your purpose,
- creating a plan,
- competing every day,
- believing in yourself,
- and continuing to learn.
Talent may determine where the journey begins.
What you do with it determines much more.
Original source: Alan Stein, Hardwood Hustle Blog
Original Basket Clinic publication: January 13, 2014