“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” -Winston Churchill
This is about your “WARRIOR SPIRIT.” Effort has nothing to do with talent, ability, social status, or physical appearance. Effort has everything to do with your will to compete and give your all in everything. This quality should never be questioned as a great competitor. The only way a coach can evaluate your ability is if you are maxing out on effort. Otherwise, they really can’t determine what you can or can’t do.
Effort will give an individual and a team its best chance to be successful. When we are playing a team with this mentality, we know that we are in for an epic battle. Many times, the winner will be the one that simply keeps playing with their best effort. Teams must be able to play with a Warrior Spirit from the beginning to the end of competition. Nothing is given, everything is earned. Lets look at the 3 truths of relentless effort…
- IS NON-NEGOTIABLE: Relentless effort is a pre-determined decision. You must decide beforehand that no matter what… you are giving your all. It is critical that you make that promise in your heart. Otherwise, when it gets hard, most will negotiate effort in their mind. Great players have conditioned their mindset to this standard. You have to understand that there are no shortcuts to success. It takes what it takes…
- IS UNDENIABLE: Great players stick out in practices, workouts, and games by their effort. If your effort is not noticeable, then you have the wrong definition of your best. You should leave no doubt, that you are the hardest worker. Relentless effort separates you from the competition. Relentless effort is inspiring and brings out the best in others. Relentless effort is the greatest compliment given to a player.
- PASSES THE MIRROR TEST: There are no excuses… At the end of the day, when we look in the mirror, are we going to be proud of our performance? If you don’t lay it all on the line, that answer is going to be “NO.” Relentless effort gives you confidence and peace of mind. More importantly, it makes you a valuable asset to the team. Coaches are going to find roles for these type players. When you look in the mirror, this decision is between you and you.
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