Success also means different things to many people. To Michael Jordan, athletic success meant winning championships. To one of my best friends, Brandt, his success came in fully becoming a husband, father, math teacher and high school baseball coach (all almost within a year).
The perception about success is that it's the last thing done and the most publicized (i.e. winning a conference title) but that's not the whole picture. Unfortunately, outsiders don't see the process that leads up to the "success". They don't see the literal and metaphorical bumps, bruises and scrapes, and that's the sad part because it's the most exciting and where the most growth occurs.
I have the privilege of wearing a few "hats" and among them coach. Practices can be ugly. Coaches and athletes can have as many bad days as they have good days. Growth can initially be very fast, slow down dramatically, stop and then pick back up and shoot higher than expected. There are tears. Smiles. Laughs. Frowns. Quitting. Joining. Rejoining. All of which are unpredictable but at the end of the day: rewarding. The process that our football players go through, is the very same process that many go through with work, relationships, arts, etc. but it's that amazing process that is the core of the experience.
So what is it about success that is so elusive in parts of peoples lives?
Unfortunately, most people do not even show up. They have the best laid plans but when it's time to put their butts on the line, they are not there physically, mentally, spiritually or all three.
THE FIRST SECRET OF SUCCESS IS SHOWING UP IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.
I have seen athletes physically at practice but just going through the motions and were not mentally invested in what they were doing, so the same mistakes kept repeating themselves in practices and even during competition. I've seen clients make all the plans to lose weight and get in shape, but when it was time for a session, they were sick, busy or busy, etc. Finally, in my life, I've practice and performed in music and athletics and had a great performance but when I looked back at it, something wasn't quite there. It lacked "feeling/soul/spirit". It happens to the best and worst of us, but when we are there, right in that moment, fully present, our chances of success skyrocket exponentially.
Where are you in mind, body and spirit today? Can you be fully present at the things you do no matter how insignificant they may be?
Take the time out stop for 2 minutes out of what you are doing and take in the scene. Breathe. Observe without judgement. Do this daily so that 2 minutes becomes 5 then 10, 20, 60 until you are fully present during every moment in the day. It takes dedication, but you'll be surprised how much more productive and efficient you are when you are fully engaged. (Note: I'm still working on this, so I'm right there with you.)
In the "Secrets of Success" series, we will look at a diverse group of successful people and what they did to get to where they are. I look forward to going on this this functional success journey with you.
Thanks,
Will
No comments:
Post a Comment