The Pro Look
by Shaun Fuentes
This week we'll focus on exactly what the headline states. But before we get into that, I'd like to make notable mention of the recent Charity T-20 Fund-raiser hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Society of T&T and Healthnet Caribbean Limited at the Brian Lara Academy.
What transpired there was true evidence of what collective effort and support can achieve. Kudos to the organisers and the cricketers led by Dwayne Bravo who offered their playing services for nothing with the intention of raising funds to assist those in need. Some 8,000 fans turned out for a relaxing, enjoyable evening. This kind of event is evidence of the legacy of mega-events such as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final which I wrote about a couple weeks back.
Now to this week's main topic. Have you ever found yourself questioning your own ability and work rate or work ethic? And doing this based on what you are seeing happening around you. Perhaps it could be someone else achieving more than you, your progress not as advanced as theirs? Did it motivate or demotivate you? If this has happened, you've probably gone through what a lot of us have at some point in our lives. You're thinking what sense does it make for me to be pushing this hard and nothing seems to be going the way you want. The results are not what you hope for or maybe not as good as the person you are comparing yourself with.
There's a quote by Don Miguel Ruiz which says: "Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment. It will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret."
So how can you ultimately always win in life? Become your own best competitor. If you commit to a slightly higher standard of yourself every day, you will always be at the top of your game. And that game will only get better. I read that somewhere and it's stuck in my head.
This is why it’s a great practice for athletes, particularly the younger ones to focus on beating their personal best rather than beating the competition - whether that’s their team-mates, the other team or anyone else who they see themselves "up against".
It’s important for coaches and parents to clarify one important performance truth for their athletes: Victories over any opponent are the result of the quality of their practices. Perfect practice – physical and mental – creates performance excellence.
The best way to ensure quality practice is to strive for measured improvement over one’s best every day. However, once an athlete enters the arena, another variable kicks into gear that has more to do with one’s nature and DNA, and that is “competitive spirit".
Brian Lara and Glenn McGrath were fierce competitors who had many epic battles on the cricket pitch. In spite of their strong competitive nature, they always admired and appreciated how they brought out the best in each other. The same can be said for many other top athletes and there may be some intense competition among those right around us.
One of the classic Hebrew proverbs tells us this: Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). There is a sharpening, there is growth, there is a process where we can actually make each other better. Growth as human beings requires challenge, stretching, and refinement that only happens when there's competition. Rivals—if approached in a spirit of humility and mutual respect—can make us better. It requires a different motivation that is a bit higher than merely dominating an opponent. For the Christian, it means practising our craft before an "Audience of One", rather than trying to defeat the other man.
Let this apply to our current aspiring football professionals as they battle it out with their respective teams in the Pro League, Super League and Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL). Those who are trying to become the next Ato Boldon, Jehue Gordon or Cleopatra Borel. Understand that beating your best in practice creates good work habits that lead to great performances. Remember that losing means learning so honour your opponent and honour yourself by figuring out what lesson is being taught by the loss.
Let's use this in the context of what is happening right in our country even outside of the sporting arena. Let us give our best, regardless of what level our best may be, to bring the country back to some level of normalcy and peacefulness. Give your best, once you're in a position to aid those affected by the floods. Be motivated by knowing that doing your best will make T&T and by extension, our world, better than it currently is. Prayers and thoughts are with those affected by the floods.
Shaun Fuentes is a former FIFA Media Officer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He is also currently a CONCACAF Competitions Media Officer and has travelled extensively because of sport and media over the past eighteen years. He is also a certified media trainer for athletes.