The process of getting to be the best is not a straightforward
linear path, it is a process and it takes time. In my forty-four years of
coaching I have seen that many are called to walk the path but few actually
choose. Yes you read that correctly. Many are called but few choose. The
opportunity is there for many but few will make the choice because it is a
difficult path that requires moving out of their Comfort Zone.
At each step of development there are clear-cut choices that
must be made. Some of the choices are conscious, like doing something different
in training and others are subtle almost unconscious like pushing through a
pain barrier or finishing a workout that seems too hard. You must be guided by
clear SMART goals that help to guide you to your destination. SMART goals are goals that are:
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Time
The goal is where you want to go, where you want to end up, it
is the beacon of light that guides you. Most athletes start in the Comfort Zone
and stay there. They are good at their sport and satisfied with where they are.
They make easy choices; they never go the extra mile. They do only what is
expected, never more. Athletes in this zone take no risks; there are no
champions here. If you aspire to be a peak performer then you will quickly have
to move out of your comfort zone to the Performance Zone or you will never
achieve your goals.
Athletes in the Performance Zone have a greater commitment.
They take some risks and they will go the extra mile when necessary. They
occasionally are uncomfortable. They usually win as much as they lose.
From the Performance Zone the next step is the High Performance
Zone. As the athlete chooses to do what is necessary to move up from one zone
to the next there will be less people in of the higher zones. The athletes in this zone are willing to
risk and get very uncomfortable. In fact they are uncomfortable more than they
are comfortable and they win more than they lose. They will always go the extra
mile.
The pinnacle, the Peak Performance Zone is where the
champions live, train and play. This is a special place. It is as far from the
comfort zone as you could imagine. Athletes here are the best of the best and
they are comfortable with being uncomfortable because they know what it takes
to be the best. In fact they are uncomfortable all the time and they make others
uncomfortable with their intensity and drive. The path is clear you must do the
work daily with ICE – Intensity, Concentration and Effort. You must win the
workouts if you expect to win the competition.
Make the choice to be the best. Set your goals and start acting
on those goals now. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable all the time.