People search all around for the most powerful training tool that they can find. They believe once they’ve found it, they’re golden. All you have to do is use this training tool and you’ll get the results you’ve been shooting for. The satisfaction you’ve been craving. But what if that training tool isn’t what you think it is? What if it’s something that is actually already in your toolbox? Sometimes a different perspective can give life to new opportunities.
My son has recently finished up with his spring soccer season and man was it a doozy. Living in “Colorful Colorado”, the spring season brought much rain this time around and it was one rescheduled game after another. But he finally finished his first full season of soccer (last year was ruined by COVID). As I was talking to him about how he improved this season, I reflected a bit deeper on the season than he realized; this season taught him some very valuable things that I think get lost when we get older.
As a father, these things were revealed to me in a way I hadn’t seen before. Sure, this year he learned the importance of team work. And it taught him what commitment means (he wasn’t always up for practices). It also taught him hard work and how that pays off. But what it really showed me is how these immeasurable traits are critical to develop and how these intangibles are responsible for opening up doors of opportunities in our lives.
The issue here is that they’re immeasurable. Because we like to look at things that we can put a number on. Things like strength, speed, agility, height, etc. However, as Tim Grover states in his book Relentless (yes I’m a bit on a Relentless wave right now), these physical attributes and abilities can only get you so far. So if these skills are limited in their abilities then, what skills really matter?
It’s the intangibles that matter.
The good news is, they can be acquired just like many other skills. Discipline, commitment, persistence, leadership, work ethic; these are the intangible traits that can get you further than you’d ever imagine. Not only will they improve who you are as a person but also will open up doors for you if you happen to acquire and put these valuable qualities to work.
Think about it: it’s that one kid on your sports team who hustles that really catches your attention. They may not be the fastest, the strongest, or even the brightest, but you can count on them to be there, dive for the ball, run hard, and keep on going until the whistle blows. It’s the desire of these people that JUST WANT IT that I tend to respect the most on my team.
So, the question arises: how bad do you want it?
Furthermore, we must ask ourselves; where is our commitment at?
Have you been faithful to your goal? Are you making decision that will help you achieve it? What about your persistence? Are you being persistent in your work? In your daily decisions?
The questions can go on and on, but know this. Change will not happen if you aren’t held accountable. And that’s what I’m here for.
To conclude, what Mike Tyson said sums it up best and you could plug in any of the immeasurable traits mentioned above in this sentence: “I don’t care who you are, if you don’t have discipline, you’re nothing.” If you don’t discipline yourself to wake up, to get work done, to go to bed on time, to spend time with the family; if you’re not persistent, your journey to your goal will not last long; if you don’t have work ethic, you’ll easily fade out.
That’s the challenge, work on the intangibles and be better. Stay grinding and work toward your goals. If we put in the work, we will see the change we are looking for in our lives.
Remember to tune in to the Morning Joe with Tony Flow podcast every week for your inspiration and motivation!