Every athlete has a different skillset and level of athletic ability. Not every player will have the natural talent of a Lebron James, Serena Williams, Lamar Jackson, or Maya Moore. But for every all-world player that makes it, there are countless others that had the talent but lacked the intangibles. Talent can only take an athlete so far. In fact, talent doesn’t equal good. The extra stuff can take a talented athlete and make them good. Likewise, there are plenty of athletes that have limited talent but have excelled at the intangibles, leading to success and them becoming valuable members of their team. Talent is only a starting point. No matter how much or how little talent an athlete has, here are 10 things that every athlete can do.
(1) Lose the excuses – An athlete can have results or make excuses, but they can’t do both. Excuses will get you exactly 0% closer to your goals. When you make excuses, you allow yourself to become a victim to circumstances or outside factors. The best athletes want to be in control and are mentally tough enough to understand that they are ultimately responsible for their own choices. Tough-minded athletes do not let the weather conditions, facilities, lack of resources, referees, or other factors distract them from doing their best.
(2) Excel in your role – You may not always be the star, but you can always be a star in your role. There have times that the greatest athletes in the world played a contributing role and supported their teammates in order to experience success. Likewise, there are have been many times when a star athlete’s success was dependent upon other people. A rising tide lifts all ships, meaning, that we all need one another to bring out the best in us, as well as to lift the level of play in our teammates.
(3) Always be on time – The greatest basketball team of all time (the 1992 dream team), had only one rule: “be on time”. The latest any player ever showed up to a meeting or bus trip was 10 minutes … EARLY! Whether you are the worst player on your team or one of the best players in the world you can always show respect to your coaches and your teammates by being on time.
(4) Display a good attitude – You can’t always control the situation or what happens to you, but you can always choose your attitude. Being positive doesn’t mean ignoring the negative. Being positive means that you will do all that you can to overcome the negative. Just like your situation shouldn’t dictate your attitude, your talent level shouldn’t determine your attitude. Everyone can make the choice to have a positive attitude.
(5) Encourage team members – Even the most successful and confident person needs to feel appreciated and hear a kind word. Look for ways to consistently uplift your teammates. Even if you need encouragement yourself, one of the best ways to get out of your funk is to encourage someone else. Remind them of past successes. Celebrate tiny victories and baby steps. Emphasize their strengths. Be tolerant and patient with their weaknesses. No matter how much talent you have, you can always encourage your team members – that includes your teammates, managers, and even coaches.
See these 10 things discussed and lived out in more detail in “The Bus Trip: The story of a team, a challenging season, and the lessons learned on a bus trip.” This modern-day sports leadership fable helps athletes understand how they can be better teammates and more positive leaders regardless of the sport that they play or the role that they have.
(6) Remain committed & focused – Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Athletes that reach their potential are those that stay committed to focusing on their goals. They are all-in on the journey and help remind their teammates to stay committed as well. Sometimes the process might take longer than they anticipated but tough athletes understand that the end result will be well worth it. Consistently taking one step after another will eventually have them arriving at their destination.
(7) Supply effort & energy – You might have an off-night shooting or not be sharp in the game, but your hustle should never have an off-night. Talent doesn’t equal good. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Kevin Durant’s once coach said of him that he works every day like he is trying to make the team. Regardless of your talent level, you can enthusiastically provide effort and be a spark to your team. Your energy level can be contagious, both good and bad. You can be a virus or a big dose of Vitamin C. You are either an energy giver or an energy taker. You can be a vampire and suck the life out of your team or you can be an oxygen mask and breathe life into your teammates.
(8) Help & serve others – A recent study actually found that we are healthier both physically and psychologically when we give to others and help others. It reminds me of the classic song lyrics that say, “Lean on me when you’re not strong. And I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long, ’til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on.” If you are a basketball player, volunteer to rebound for a teammate. Go over plays with a teammate. Play catch with a teammate. Watch film together. Hold each other accountable. Keep each other out of trouble. Find ways to help your teammates be better. This will make you better, as well. Whether you have a tremendous amount of talent or not, you can always help others.
(9) Improve & be coachable – Everyone needs a coach. Everyone needs an outside perspective. Even Michael Phelps, Lebron James, and Usain Bolt have coaches. You can’t see the picture when you are inside the frame. Even the best and smartest athletes don’t know it all and need someone to help them be better. You need to take advantage of every opportunity presented to you in order to learn something new, improve, and grow. Your level of talent is only a beginning. Being coachable can take you to a new level as an athlete.
(10) Prepare to win – Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. It’s been said that luck is just when preparation meets opportunity. And Lincoln used to say if he had 6 hours to cut down a tree, he’d spend the first 4 hours sharpening the blade. Will you be ready when your opportunity comes? You can always prepare properly to get the most out of whatever abilities you have.
It doesn’t matter the sport you play or the role you have on your team, all athletes can do these 10 things. The most (and least) talented athlete can do each of these things.
Great teams have great teammates. Being a great teammate doesn’t mean that you are the most talented but rather that you bring the most value to the team. Great teammates help each other to improve, develop, and succeed.
If you notice, the first letter in each of the “10 Things All Athletes Can Do” spells LEADERSHIP. Leadership isn’t just about titles, positions, status, roles, or power. It’s about one person influencing another person to do something. When you do the things a great teammate can do, you are also leading yourself and your teammates forward toward your goals.
Great teams have great teammates. What will you do today to become your team’s most valuable teammate?