Getting What You Want

If you guys hit the gym you might see the buffest dude there, or maybe the smartest kid in class, the guy at work who makes the most money and so on. What do all these guys most likely have in common? Are they naturally gifted to a degree? Maybe. But that only helps so much. In short, they all most likely have a tremendous work ethic. Potential without proper execution is useless. Picture this. I ran track in high school. And while I was good I wasn’t the very best because I saw it more as a hobby rather than something I’d work relentlessly at. I was mainly there to hangout with friends. However, as time went on my coach realized I was very fast in short sprints (200-400 yard dash) I started being put against faster kids in meets and put in relays. I realized my team was relying on each runner to score as high as possible in each race so we would win the meet.

I felt I couldn’t let my team so I gave each race my all. I was a pretty athletic kid and while running doesn’t take a whole lot of skill, what does it come down to? What shape you’re in and how much you’ve practiced play a role, sure. But I’ve seen shorter kids with smaller legs or even heavier set kids run circles around others. So what’s it come down to? How bad do they want it? How hard are they willing to work for it? I pushed myself. Beyond what I thought my limits were. And any successful athletes, students or employees I’ve seen have done the same to jump from good to great.

Running in particular is funny that way. After a while it’s your bodies natural instinct to slow down and even stop. But you need to fight that. Forget the other guy. Let the adrenaline take over get yourself across that finish line as fast as humanly possible. And don’t stop till you're there. Who do you think is gonna do better? The kid who was cocky from being a star last year, so he cut practice and messed around the night before? OR the kid who’s new to this but he’s been practicing, giving every run his all. He got a good night’s sleep, had a good meal, bought the best running shoes and he’s pouring his heart and soul into that race. Even if he lost that’d still be admirable. But ya know what? That kid’s gonna kick some serious butt because he’s working his off. I’ve seen this time and again over the years. Your natural skill is a help but the REAL name of the game when it comes to getting what you want comes down to work ethic. Stay hungry guys and never stop working for it.

-BTD