BOOK OF THE WEEK: "Training Camp" by Jon Gordon

As we're almost ready to close the book on 2020, we must look back on what the tumultuous and challenging year taught us. While a difficult year with many peaks and valleys, 2020 was apropos* to Jon Gordon's "Training Camp." (I know, another Jon Gordon book, I had to. I went far too long with pushing out a Jon Gordon book of the week post.) 

A brief synopsis of "Training Camp" focuses on an undrafted football running back trying to make the team. After a stellar performance, that included running back a kickoff for a touchdown, a in the team's first pre-season game put him in the limelight. But a tweak of the ankle on that kick return sidelined him for weeks and brought him back to feelings of frustration and anxiety. 

Those feelings of frustration, anxiety, uncertainty and fear for of the future that we all can relate to this year. We're we are in need of our own Coach Ken to help guide us through the process of becoming the best of the best - especially during this challenging time. 

One of those 11 traits the best people, in all industries, have is the Trait Number 6. They are mentally stronger than everyone else. Look at Tom Brady as an example. He was a sixth round draft pick that nobody expected anything of, including his college coaches, but he didn't listen to his naysayers. He did his own thing and and has six Super Bowl rings and a pair of league MVPs to show for it. 

Being the best is simply tuning out the distractions and zoom-focusing on what they want (another thing the best are great at) and want it more than anyone else. 

Harvard is generally used as an example as the best academic institution in the world, but how did they obtain that title? It's because the people at Harvard and the students it admits are never satisfied. They are always striving to become better and don't shy away from being uncomfortable. 

There is a saying on this blog, which was originally coined by, currently, a Boston College assistant baseball coach, that "little drops make big drops." While yes it was said in a sarcastic tone at the time (filling up water coolers), the phrase is also part of what makes the best people the best. The fourth trait is the best are able to do the ordinary things better than everyone else. Whether that is filling up a water cooler or doing, statting a game, or driving a bus, the best are able to excel at the fundamentals. 

It's being able to execute well on the fundamentals that lead the way for bigger opportunities and once that chance arrives, the best are able able to seize the moment. There may be a little fear in when thrust into the spotlight, but the best are the ones that overcome that feeling. It may be a slightly uncomfortable feeling in the moment, but the best dive into that feeling and embrace it. They keep themselves open and are constantly in "The Gold Universe,' not thinking about what will happen if I make this putt or miss the free throw. 

They are constantly living in the moment and 'think like a rookie,' but also realize the success they may experience is only temporary. Nothing lasts forever. Everything is temporary, but it is more important to leave a legacy. The image of yourself that you leave in people's minds becomes more paramount than whatever success you achieve along the way. 

And the final thing that the best do that the merely great don't do is, they bring out the best in the people around them. If you are constantly bringing out the best in the people around you that is something to take great pride in and keep striving to do. "Helping them up."

* Apropos, for those who really don't want to break out the dictionary means "very appropriate to a particular situation."