In my younger years (OK, much younger years), I used to play Australian Rules Football for a local footy club.
In pre-season training, one of the common drills we performed was multiple sprints. The team would be broken into small groups and then sprint hard for distances of either 50 or 100 metres, repeating the process 20 or 30 times within quick succession.
It could be brutal and there was always a temptation to slow down just before you hit the line.
But the best players never did, they always kept sprinting to the end.
One of the things that I’ve noticed over the years is that at all levels, this is one of the factors that separates the champions from the rest.
They consistently push through the lines.
It didn’t matter how tired they were, how many times they had done it before or if anyone was watching, they kept pushing through the lines.
Elite level performers in every arena of life understand that how they practice is how they play.
They understand that excellence is a habit, not something that can be turned on and off.
They understand that others are watching and people are influenced by their willingness to do the extra yards.
They understand that if you do the work today, tomorrow’s challenges are easier.
And they understand that there are no short-cuts if you want to be the best.
What about you?
Do you slow down towards the end of your shift?
Are Friday afternoons just a waste of time?
Do you do all that you can when no-one is watching?
Do you think that you can be excellent some of the time or all of the time?
Do you accept B-grade performances from yourself when you can achieve A’s?
Do you push through the lines?
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4 comments
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March 22, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Debbie
Great post again, Coach D ! One of the things that impacted me was about if we do the work today, tomorrow’s challenges are easier. I see that as a good way to relieve some of the stress we can feel about work, to go ahead and push through today so there isn’t extra to do tomorrow.
God bless you and this work He has given you!
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March 23, 2012 at 7:57 am
Darren Poke
That’s a great point Debbie, thanks.
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March 24, 2012 at 6:02 am
granbee
Sometimes, Darren, I think I push through TOO many lines! Some folks get upset about having to pick up the broken boundary tapes–but did they really need to be there to start with?
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March 24, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Darren Poke
Keep pushing Rose.
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