Skill + Time = Results
By Matt Cuccaro
It’s quite obvious that player development is based on building skill over time. The more an individual works at something, the more skills are developed. As skills are passionately pursued throughout a significant timeframe, expert performance appears. Yet, it can be difficult to maintain this perspective on a daily basis – especially around tournament time. As competition nears, other ideas seem to bubble to the surface:
How many points is this tournament worth? Who is in the field? What’s the winning score going to be?
Although these thoughts are exciting to consider, they also tend to become a distraction to performance. The more distractions that arise against the player development mindset, the less attention an individual has to focus on the task at hand; and distracted is not a mindset which is synonymous with success.
Throughout training:
Golfers don’t practice making birdies, they practice making smooth swings.
Golfers don’t practice shooting 4-under par,they practice staying target focused.
Golfers don’t practice getting recruited by a college or turning pro, they practice patience.
If distracting ideas start taking over (make birdie, shoot 4-under, get recruited) especially around tournament time, unreliable results are likely to follow. Discussions based on short-sighted results breed a mindset linked to distracted performance, frustration, lackluster effort and potential burnout.
Parents, coaches and athletes who reinforce a player development mindset (Skill + Time = Results) seek long-term growth and build healthy competitors as a result. These individuals see competition as an opportunity to exhibit skills (smooth swings, target focus and patience) and test personal limits. When skills continue to remain a top priority throughout training and competition, consistent results unfold. As individuals consistently take part in dialogue filled with themes of player development, birdies happen, scores drop and barriers continue to be broken.
S2 Tip
Golfers don’t practice getting recruited by a college or turning pro, they practice patience.
Making an Impact
Congratulations to the Denver Broncos T.J. Ward for hosting his first charity golf tournament. T.J. Ward’s foundation focuses on helping underprivileged children in communities from Oakland to Cleveland to Denver through education, physical fitness and healthy nutrition. “It’s a great feeling that everyone came out in full support,” Ward said. “I think we have 108 golfers and 30 sponsors. It’s a great turnout. I’m very pleased and grateful and thankful for everyone’s support.” Nice job T.J.!
In Another’s Words
You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.
– Jim Rohn (Entrepreneur)