Bridging The Gap: Working Your Talent Today for Tomorrow’s Opportunities
Consider this sports analogy.
Instead of applying consistent pressure to develop their talent when they are practicing, some athlete’s half pedal their efforts, thinking they are saving the muscle group being used and their strength for a game type situation.
While this thinking may feel like they are doing the right thing, it may be their detriment as a game situation will require them to stretch the same muscle group beyond the practice demand to score points and or keeping their opponent from scoring.
Because this will undoubtedly happen, they are now in greater risk of injuring themselves and hurting their team’s chances of winning.
I heard a coach say to his team, “who has had hamstring problems?” Many of them raised their hands. He then said, “Why are you saving your hamstrings during practice?” no one could answer. He continued, “If you continue to run even when you are not in a practice play versus walking to the next event, you will exercise and keep the pressure on your hamstring muscle for a game situation.”
Furthermore, “running keeps pressure on all the muscle groups in the leg and allows you to perform at all speeds (sudden and normal) in game plays. So, no more walking. Practice the game like you are playing the game.”
I found his wisdom to be sound and effective.
Using this analogy for real life situations.
Like the hamstring story, we all have talents that we sometime save for special projects, big jobs, and or major life situations. Somehow, we have convinced ourselves that we will not have to exert pressure and exercise them until it is needed.
But, when we need to dig deep or stretch our talents for various demands in these activities, we struggle because we have not prepared them for the sudden and unannounced pressure to use them to win.
Here are tips to help you with preparation:
· Practice your talent like you are using it in a real-life situation
· Do not copy others who practice at practice speeds
· Guard against saving your talent. Use it fully wherever and whenever you can
· Work your talent when no one else is around
You have the baton in your hand to work your talent today. Now run your race and perform at all speeds in both small and large opportunities.
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