Rope Burns to Success

I often use this illustration: If I put a lion on one side of the room and you on the other, would your definition of desire change? Would your definition of work ethic and persistence be different then it is now?

I’ve said this before, “The proof of desire in the pursuit” (Dr. Murdock). But I don’t think very many athletes understand this concept. Unfortunately, we live in the age of entitlement. So many players think that success is going to be gift-wrapped for them.

It’s as if they are at the bottom of a deep pit, waiting for someone to lift them out. All the while, a rope hangs down waiting for them to climb out. If they truly desired to get out of the pit, they would start their climb. Most don’t even get that far.

Then, there’s the rope burns. The pain. The exhaustion. The sweat that goes into climbing to the top. Even those who do start the climb, will give up due to the burns they suffer. The bottom line is: That is pursuit! You can’t claim desire without it!!!

Players, everyone starts in the pit; the majority don’t make it out. If you want to be the minority of those who do, learn to pursue. If your vocabulary needs a change, change it. If you need to work harder, smarter, or more efficient, figure out how. But don’t tell me your desire; show me your pursuit!