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?

Previous post – What Are You Waiting For?

Next post – Why the Poison Dart Frog is So Toxic