The 3 Keys to Being Great at Anything
- Carli Lloyd did it and became America’s hero during the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
- Stephen Curry does it and was named the MVP of the 2015 NBA Finals.
- Stephen King does it and is one of the most read authors in the world.
- Chris Kyle did it and saved hundreds of American lives in combat.
These people are all professionals. These people are all recognized as the best at what they do. For leaders (for anybody) who want to become great, we can learn one thing from the examples above.
Hoping to be great is not enough.
Carli Lloyd committed to be great more than a decade before the world noticed. She was a talented player but was ready to walk away from her dream of playing soccer on the world stage because things were not panning out.
Just before she quit soccer for good, she met with a new coach. He told her she could be great, but she needed to work hard to do it. Having talent, hoping to be good and working within her comfort level were not going to make her great.
She had to work. She had to sweat. She had to be willing to sacrifice her comfort to reach the level of excellence she claimed to want. A decade of work and three goals in the 2015 World Cup Finals versus Japan proved he was right.
To Be Great – Hope Is Not Enough
Lesson #1: To improve at anything, we must begin to do that thing. If I hope to be better at soccer, I need to play more soccer. If I hope to be better at public speaking, I must do more public speaking. If I hope to get better at resolving conflicts, I must engage in conflict.
The first step to becoming good at anything is to begin doing it!
- To become a great runner, I must start running.
- To become a great writer, I must start writing.
- To become a great cook, I must start cooking.
- To become a great leader, I must start leading.
Many people hope to be a good leader, but then do nothing to make that hope become a reality.
To Be Great – I Must Be Uncomfortable
Lesson #2: Becoming great is not easy. In fact, any growth beyond my current condition requires some extra effort and maybe even a few drops of sweat! Continuing what I have always done is always comfortable, but it will not help me become more than what I already am.
- To become a great runner, I must start running even if that first run will hurt.
- To become a great writer, I must start writing even if that first chapter will be a struggle.
- To become a great cook, I must start cooking even if that first meal will be messy.
- To become a great leader, I must start leading even if that first attempt will be awkward.
To Become Great – I Must Practice
Lesson #3: Practice precedes greatness. Two times a week on the soccer field didn’t make Carli Lloyd great. Every day made her great. Stephan Curry shoots free throws daily. Stephan King writes even when it is inconvenient. Chris Kyle shot more rounds on the range than in battle.
- To become a great runner, I must start running even if that first run will hurt and then consistently run.
- To become a great writer, I must start writing even if that first chapter will be a struggle and then consistently write.
- To become a great cook, I must start cooking even if that first meal will be messy and then consistently cook.
- To become a great leader, I must start leading even if that first attempt will be awkward and then consistently lead.
Throughout my corporate career and my consulting career I have coached hundreds of people who ask me what they needed to do to prepare themselves for leadership. My only answer to them is –
START LEADING
When they hesitate I add-
even if it is uncomfortable for you!
When they say “I’ve tried that” I say-
Now do it consistently!
The Bottom Line:
I have never and will never become good at anything let alone great, if I do not begin to do it! I always hoped to be a good writer, yet I never wrote anything. I finally got started writing this blog in 2012. Am I good? That is for the reader to decide. But my website gets a lot of traffic, and I get a lot of positive comments from other leaders.
I have been hoping to write a book for the past three years. I finally started writing it this month (With my father, General Jim Anderson). Will it be good? That will be for the reader to decide. But, I had to start writing to begin down the path of becoming an author.
For all of us, whether we want to be a great leader, a great husband, a great mom or great at anything else, we must quit hoping and start working. It is naïve to think I am going to become great at something without ever doing it.
If you are ready to take your dream of greatness beyond the hope phase, follow the lead of Carli Lloyd, Stephan Curry, Stephen King and Chris Kyle:
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Start: Take Action
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Be Uncomfortable: Break a Sweat
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Practice: Do what you want to be great doing.
Question:
What prevents most people from becoming great and reaching their goals?
Excellent points Dave. Many wish to be great at something, but are not willing to commit and put the work in long term. When challenges arise, many give up, believing they gave it their best. Challenges are simply part of the process. Those that achieve success are willing to do what it takes for as long as it takes. Commitment and perseverance are vital.
Perseverence is always prevelant in anyone who achieves great things!
Thanks for sharing this Dave! You’ve inspired me in a lot of ways; in leadership and other areas of life. I’ve followed you almost as far back when you started your blog.
Most times fear hold people from getting started – fear of what people will think or what if I fail. But it’s empowering when they understand that fear is just part of the process of changing their world.
Abiola,
Thank you. I am humbled to know you have been part of this community for so long. Thank you for your comments and for the encouragement you just gave me.
Great article! You made some very valid points regarding keys to being great at anything. I think that one must also have a strategic plan in order to achieve greatness. In addition, one must be focused and not give up at the slightest challenge. Truly enjoyed reading this as everything you stated is true.
I 100% agree with having a plan. Unfortunately most of us are better at planning to do something than actually doing it. Thanks for the comments. Please keep them coming!
great points and to answer your question “what prevents someone from being great”
Belief and persistence, are right up there.
Regards Rikki
Belief that it can happen and the persistence to make sure I am not the reason it does not happen!
The three principals of leadership you described resonate with me. I have learned, and am continuing to learn, that whenever I have taken risks, there are certain costs. These include: time, effort, struggle, discomfort, uncertainty and many others. However, with consistent effort and perseverance, the results are satisfying. When one breaks through those initial barriers, a sense of confidence and mastery begins to take effect. In time, momentum takes root and continues to propel you into continual growth and maturity.
Momentum is a great term to use about learning. I find when I am learning and growing, I want more of it. If I am stagnant it is very hard to get going. Learning inertia…
Thomas Edison was asked by a friend ‘Isn’t it a shame that with the tremendous amount of work you have done you haven’t been able to get any results?’ Edison responded with a smile: ‘Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results! I know several thousand things that won’t work.’
Many people have commented on the necessity of perseverance but I don’t think we should underestimate the impact of positive outlook in that perseverance.
Keep up the great work, Dave.
Great point Eric! Thank you.