- Being On Time
Of all of the 10 things that require zero talent, this is single most important. You build trust by honoring your word through action. You only get a finite amount of time and it cannot be replaced. To be late to a game, practice, or meeting is a lack of respect or regard for scouts, coaches, and teammates. It also shows a lack of self-respect for yourself.
“Being on time is a sign of respect.” – unknown - Work Ethic
Don’t want to work hard? Someone else will and they’ll be getting better while you’re just standing still. The weight room, batting cage, and film room isn’t for everyone, then again neither is playing time. Work ethic is the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward. Set the standard of hard work on the field and your teammates will follow suit.
“Work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it away from you.”
– Mark Cuban - Effort
Do you go the extra mile or do you only do what is asked or expected of you and no more? Do not ask for success if you do not wish to go the extra mile. Talent is what you have, effort is what you give. Effort will get you the win when talent is having a rest day
Effort will drive you home when everyone expects you to give up. Effort will pick you up from the dirt in the 13th inning.
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.” – Derek Jeter - Body Language
Your words may mask how you are feeling but your eyes, your face, your posture, and even your voice tone will always give you away. You will strike out, you”ll make a bad throw, an umpire will ring you up on a bad call, your coach will yell at you, your defense will make errors behind you. Play long enough and these things are guaranteed to happen. The question is, how do you respond? Do you pout and wait for someone else to take responsibility, or do you face the challenge head on.
“Your body language speaks the truth even when your mouth lies.” – unknown - Energy
When two teams with equal talent face off, the side with the highest energy will push over the top. You can’t expect to play with energy in games and slack off in practice. Energy is not a switch, a one time thing, it’s an all the time thing. Whether you are winning or losing, you can always play hard. Sometimes when things aren’t going well for you, you can create something positive by just playing the game with energy.
“We believe whether you are winning or losing, you can always play hard. Sometimes when things aren’t going well for you, you can create something positive by just playing the game with energy. That’s part of hustling on and off the field. We don’t allow our pitchers to walk on and off the field whether they are coming in the game or out of the game. They are expected to sprint to the mound and back to the dugout after the inning is over.” – Jim Schlossnagle - Attitude
Attitude and body language are close cousins. Your attitude will determine your effort, energy, body language and indirectly all the other 10 things that require zero talent. So obviously it is one of the most important attributes on this list. A positive mental attitude (PMA) is a great starting point for developing into a great athlete.
“Talent may get you on the field, but it’s effort and attitude will keep you there.”
– Ken Griffey Jr. - PassionWhether you’re a baseball player, bowler, professional gardner, underwater basket weaver, etc. If you lacking passion in any endeavor, just quit while you’re ahead. Passion is contagious, passion get’s you through the tough games, the 0-17’s.
- “Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” – John Wesley
- Being Coachable
If you have any intent whatsoever to be successful, you MUST be coachable. This is oftentimes hard for players who were Mr. Everything in high school.
“Uncoachable kids become unemployable adults, let your kids get used to someone being tough on them, it’s life, get over it.” – Patrick Murphy - Going The Extra Mile
If all you do is what you were asked and nothing more, you are now a burden to the organization and no longer an asset. It’s never crowed on the extra mile. When you go the extra mile for your team, you will receive the greater reward.
“What you lack in talent, you can make up with desire, hustle, and giving 110% all the time.” – Don Zimmer - Preparation
This is pretty simple. Be ready when opportunity comes, luck is the time when preparation and opportunity meet. Champions do not become champions when they win the game, but in the hours, weeks, and years preparing for it. Preparation and a can do attitude will always prevail!
“You hit home runs not by chance, but by preparation” – Roger Maris