Work builds champions. Marketing does not. There are some players who think that you have to show everyone how hard they are working. Every time they go do a simple workout they post it on their story. They act as if they believe that if they post it on their social media or talk about it at lunch so everyone knows that their doing it that it somehow means more – that they should get kudos for doing what they should do.
I disagree. You don’t run around as a team saying “we practice, look at us” so why would you do it for yourself.
I’ve always thought of the game as almost something holy. What happens on the court when it’s just you, the ball, and the basket is an intimate thing. It stays there. Carry the lessons and the benefits of your training with you, but don’t go around talking up all the time you put in to get those lessons. Don’t, unsolicited, talk up your new found quickness and brag about how much time you put into strength training to make that happen. Do the work. Work builds champions. Reap the rewards. You earned them. Then go back to work the next day and get some more. When you step on the court take your opponent (practice or otherwise) to task for not doing the same. And then quietly go back to work.
I absolutely LOVE the clip below. After just winning a championship several members of the championship team are asked “What message does this send to young people with everything that this team has overcome.”
Candace Parker answers for the team so elegantly and wisely. You should watch it for your self.
How powerful is that? That’s a winner talking there! That’s someone who knows you just gotta do the work and trust the work. I’ve transcribed it below because it really can’t be digested enough ways. Here’s what she said.
I think sometimes you don’t have to tell your story – time will – and that’s something that I live by. I think everybody up here has had that moment where they’ve felt like they have to tell their side of the story. And you DONT have to!
Just put your head down.
Continue to work.
Do what’s right.
Be a good person.
Work hard.
Give energy.
And like the world will give back to you.
That’s my message with all of this. You don’t have to yell from the rooftops who you are or what you do. Let Time Tell. And just enjoy the moment.
I just love it. Do the things you should do. Let the rest take care of itself. And enjoy the process doing the thing you love.
Conclusion
It’s not wrong to sell yourself. But it if it’s not something substantial (like you dunked for the first time or achieved some other goal) then you’re just really just advertising that you’re doing what you ought to do. Be better than that. Keep that ace in the hole. Keep you head down and keep getting better. And enjoy it! Awesome message and congrats to that team!
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