“If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” ~ Muhammad Ali
I do believe struggle and criticism is a pre-requisite for greatness. I also know it is not fun finding out your weaknesses, but as a mentor of mine told me, “The key to his success was knowing what he didn’t know, and getting it.”
Know what you don’t know is the strategic difference between those who make it in the game of baseball and those who do not.
- Those that make it – Want to know why they are struggling
- When they know – The great ones use the knowledge to improve
Unfortunately baseball is a game filled with fallacies [e.g., you have to take a pitch on the outer half of the plate the other way] and statements that make you shake your head [e.g., Will you please throw strikes].
If you want to play this game a long time, then know what you don’t know, but make sure what you are being told offers value. UNDERSTAND what is being said, and WHY is it making you better.
On the other hand, it is easier to be contented with who you are in the moment [e.g., after all you’re on varsity], rather than push yourself to be something else – GREAT. However I want you to know justifying it always falls on deaf ears [e.g., don’t have the time, money, or energy], and failure to try will prevent you from finding out just how good you really could be! Or in some cases, who you might turn out to be!
As John Maxwell said, “The two most important days in a person’s life are the day they were born, and the day they find out why.”
Got 5 minutes? Corey Overholzer, a young man I had the honor to coach, shared a Prince Ea video that provides a nice motivational spin to it. Check it out.
Until next Blog,
Al McCormick
