The ONE thing

Early on, when I was a Performance coach for the Chinese National team , I got caught up in thinking that there was ‘One Thing’ that would push us over the top.

Sometimes I thought it might be a jumping or core drill.

Other times it might be a specific training tool.

I talk to athletes and parents every week who behave the same way.

They think ‘One Thing’ is going to take them from struggling to successful.

Maybe it’s a supplement.

Perhaps it’s a 'magic' drill they saw on Youtube.

Or it’s the belief that when they finally find the right training program it will turn them into a finely tuned machine.

Well, about halfway through my time as the Chinese coach, I realized that there was no single ‘thing’ that was going to get us over the top.

No, it was a combination of dozens of things, big and small.

It was the sum of little actions that we took day after day.

Sure, those drills and tools helped and my weight room made my life easier, but in reality, they were all pieces of a bigger puzzle.

For the athletes I train that I see thrive, it’s the same.

They may have a favorite exercise that works, but they also are improving their skill set.

They might have a special move that works in games, but they almost always are getting better at all aspects of their game.

They all have talent, but they also know that they’ve got to improve that talent week after week.

So, in hindsight, maybe there is ‘One Thing’...

...the willingness to consistently do all the little things.

Dedicated to Your Athletes Success,

Greg and Char