Five Questions Every Athlete Should Ask Themselves
By
Jonathan Conneely
How bad do you want to be a great athlete? Many people talk about it but very
few actually do it. I once heard a quote that I will never forget and that I use
on a weekly basis while working with athletes: “A great athlete does every day
what a good athlete does occasionally.”
A great athlete does whatever it takes on a daily basis while a good athlete
does it when it’s convenient. A great athlete trains every day while a good
athlete trains when it’s comfortable. A great athlete goes out of his or her way
to eat properly so that the body recovers faster while a good athlete eats
whenever and whatever is available.
Many athletes enjoy playing their sport, but that isn’t what I’m talking
about. I’m not talking about just making the varsity team. I’m talking about
being a contributor to the varsity squad. I’m not talking about just getting a
scholarship. I’m talking about being an All-American. I’m not talking about just
being a professional. I’m talking about being an All-Star or a Hall-of-Famer.
I’m talking about being great! There are many good athletes out there, but very
few are great. The difference between the good ones and the great ones is what
they do on a daily basis. It’s called consistency, hard work, and dedication.
If you are an athlete, I want you to ask yourself five questions. These five
questions will determine if you have what it takes to be great or if you’re
satisfied with just being good.
- How bad?
How bad do you want it? How bad do you really want to be great? Do you just
talk about it or are you doing what it takes on a daily basis to be great?
Michael Jordan once said, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would
happen, and others make it happen.” You have got to go and make it happen.
You have to go and take it. How bad do you want it?
- Why?
Why do you want it? Do you want to be great so people notice you? Do you
want to be great to be famous? Do you want to be great to make money? Do you
want to be great so that you can help others? Whatever it is, you need to
know why. Why do you do what you do on a daily basis to be great? What is it
that motivates you?
- What?
What are you willing to do until you get it? What are you willing to
sacrifice? Many athletes say they want to play professionally and that’s
great. However, do you know what it takes now for you to get there? Do you
know what you need to do on a daily/weekly/monthly/annual basis to reach
that ultimate goal to play professionally? To be a great athlete takes a lot
of sacrifice. You may have to go to bed early when your friends are out at a
movie. You may have to tell your girlfriend that you can’t hang out because
you need to train. Are you willing to make those kinds of sacrifices?
- How much?
How much do you really invest into it? How much time do you put into what
you do? It takes time to be great at anything. How much time do you put into
practicing? How much time do you put into studying so that you can master
your sport? Be honest with yourself. Are you really ready to invest the time
necessary to be great at what you do? There is no substitute for hard work.
Are you willing to put the time into practice? Are you willing to work? How
much are you willing to work at it?
- Do you really?
Do you really love it? Is this your passion? Your passion is what is going
to drive you. It is what keeps you going when times get tough. Things will
not always be easy. The road is going to get rocky, and if you do not love
what you are doing, you will quit. If you do not have a passion for this,
you will throw in the towel. You really need to ask yourself, “Is this what
I love to do?” If not, hang it up and find something that you do love to do.
This is what life is all about!
Now that you have asked yourself these questions, go and get it. Go and take
what you deserve, and don’t look back until it is yours!
Jonathan Conneely, otherwise known as “Coach JC,” is one of the most
recognized strength and conditioning coaches in the Midwest. He has helped
thousands of athletes increase their athletic ability to achieve peak
performance in their respective sport. Coach JC is the founder and president of
Dynamic Sports Development (www.TheDSD.com).
You can read more of Coach JC’s articles, give feedback, or ask questions at
www.Thedsd.blogspot.com.
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength
training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products
and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the
industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit
us at www.EliteFTS.com.