richestpeopleinamerica

I am writing this en route to Miami a few days before the Super Bowl. On the plane were a number of current and former NFL players, boxing great Evander Holyfield, and singer Usher. There was a lot of talent on that plane – people who were very good at one point before breaking through to greatness. Quite coincidentally, I had been thinking about the book From Good to Great by Jim Collins.  There’s no denying that many of the passengers had made that transformation. To be great in boxing, music or as an NFL player, takes more than being good, you have to be great. To play in the Super Bowl, an even higher level of greatness has to be achieved. As fate would have it, a former NFL player sat down in the seat next to me. In the course of our conversation, I learned that he played wide receiver for 15 years. He told me that his best years where his last few years before retirement. That made me curious as that is not always true for an athlete in their mid 30’s. He seemed interested in talking and I was interested in asking questions so I asked questions and he answered them. Below is part of our dialogue:

How do you go from Good to Great? It’s all about getting a chance to be great. I started my career with one team and I was labeled a C player. After a few years with that team, I was traded and with my new team I was given a chance to shine. My new teams belief in me and the chance I was given gave me confidence. When people believe in you and give you a chance, it boosts your confidence. Plus I knew that if I made a mistake they weren’t going to bench me. When people feel confident in you and your abilities you can achieve any greatness you desire. But someone has to give you that chance.

How does one obtain confidence? First you must work hard to learn your skill and be very good at it. Then you have to believe in yourself. Finally, you have to be prepared – mentally and physically when your chance comes.  You can’t be standing on the sidelines not paying attention. Sometimes getting a chance is like a fast ball that comes at you quickly. You can’t leave it to chance that you will be ready. You have to have done the hard work so you will be ready. Whether it’s business, sports, or life, you have to work on your skills, have the right attitude and not get down on yourself when you make a mistake.

Describe how your confidence and abilities changed in your career? In your early years you just try to make the team. Even if you just barely make the team, you are satisfied. When you are in your middle years, you have to be a starter. If you aren’t a starter by this point, it’s likely the team will get rid of you.  I tell everyone I was in the league five years before I became an ”every down player”. During those five years, I was watching and learning.

What advice would you give a rookie today? Watch the guys in front of you, particularly the ones that are successful. When I was a young player, I would watch how best players practiced. I would watch how they ran routes and how they prepared. I made it a point to take what they did and work to do it a little better. I believe if you do this, things will fall into place and you will achieve greatness.

 To what do you attribute to a long successful career? Three things:  Hard work, confidence, and attitude. It was during the last phase of my career that I had my best years.  As my skills began to diminish, I worked harder and played smarter. I kept my attitude in check and knew that because I had accomplished a great deal already, I could still get the job done. I think you achieve greatness when you are no longer in your prime and you can still get the job done at a high level.

Whether you are an asipring athlete, musician, artists, corporate manager or business owner, the journey of going from good to great starts today. Do something great today.