Consistency of effort and help from others……two factors that are bigger determinants of success than simple ability or talent.

Picture a kernel of corn, or even multiple kernels:

Now picture a 1″ thick piece of steel plate:

Picture some of the corn colliding with the steel…..who wins? Not a trick question, of course the steel plate will win. Depending on the velocity and angle of the kernels as they impact the steel, the corn will either crack or shatter…..but you can bet the steel won’t dent!

But, if you multiply the number of impacts the corn makes on the steel, and at the same time increase the consistency of those impacts, the corn will eventually win. Below is an actual piece of steel taken from a plant that processes corn. The worn area is from just a few months of thousands of kernels of corn constantly bombarding the same place over and over and over. As you can see, the corn won….the steel plate has a hole worn in it.

How does this apply to coaching? Very few achievements or victories in coaching (or in life for that matter) are ‘sudden’…..most are gradual and require consistency of effort, and help from others.

If you are hoping for success alone or without great and consistent effort, or help from others, you better be the piece of steel. However, the vast, vast majority of us are more like the kernel of corn than the piece of steel. If we want to succeed, we have to get some help from others and start pounding away with great and consistent effort. As a coach, that means consistent effort in learning (help from others), studying, and preparing. As an athlete, that means consistent effort (both mental and physical effort) in workouts and in video sessions. It also means you have to build others up and encourage them to join you in pounding away on that piece of steel (this is a huge key to success!)

Best of luck to each of you in the upcoming year, whether you are a coach or a player. Remember to give great and consistent effort, and just as importantly, motivate others to join you!