It is often the case that the most talented athletes or teams fail to win races, matches and competitions when it really matters. Why?
Let's start by saying this: Talent on its own isn't enough. Yes it is a cliché but it is also true. Think of your favourite sport and list the times where the most superior individual or team lost out to the so called underdogs. It happens a lot (and that's why sport is fun).
What's going on? Why is it so common for the most outrageously talented footballers to never make it in professional football? Why is it so common to see shock results in the NFL? What is going on when the best rugby team on the planet fail to win the Rugby World Cup?
There are of course a number of reasons but one of the most common is this: The player or team are unable to use/maximise their skills, talent, gifts because they do not have control of themselves. Sometimes, that is due to their ego or an inability to control emotions (the good or bad ones) or that when the pressure is on, they lose their ability to cope with it.
We see this quite often. For example, a season doesn't go by where an ex-footballer talks about the, "best player they ever saw in training" never making it due to attitude problems. Last year, some football and rugby teams exploded with pure bliss and joy when they scored a goal or try whilst in a title challenge even though winning the trophy was still someway off. That unbridled grip of emotions would eventually be their undoing when the joy turned to setbacks and they lost sight of the talent that got them there in the first place. It's the reason why a certain international rugby team conceded a try to 12 men very recently (Authors note: This may be my last post!).
A great coach understands what Jesus meant when he said, "Blessed are the meek (Praus) for they will inherit the earth". Help your players to do the inner work needed to take control of their talent and everything that comes with it, and watch them perform better and more consistently.
Blessed are the Praus teams, for they will inherit the earth.
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