
In high school, I visited USC for a pitching training camp and learned one of the greatest lessons I would ever learn.
My coach, the best pitching coach I have ever had, would stand next to me and talk to me about something I would never forget.
After a full bullpen session, he looked at me and said
Evan, 10% of the time you are going to be terrible. A long pause… 10% of the time you are going to be fantastic. Another long pause…and 80% of the time you are going to be average. He let that sit with me for a while. The champions are made in that 80%.
You are going to be average a lot…but it is what you decide to do during those times when you know you have average stuff that will determine how great you are.
I have remembered this lesson word for word ever since he told it to me.
There is no doubt in my mind that this is a lifelong lesson.
I wanted to share this with you today because it is one of the finer messages I remember from that time in my life.
Today is going to be a short post because I feel like that message speaks volumes. I realize that a lot of the time…most of the days actually…I am going to be completely average.
However, I know that I can give it 100% during those days that I only have 80% in the tank.
This helps me make only average days into great days.
Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project
So very welcome! Look forward to hearing more from you!
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
I have heard that a lot from people…that it feels like I am speaking to just them. That makes me happy and I think it is something that I am most proud of. I want to be able to relate as much as possible. Awesome comment thank you so much for sharing.
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
He was an incredible man. I have lots and lots of lessons from him that will stick with me for a long long time.
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
One of my favorite messages of all time. We will not have our best most of the time.
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
Absolutely right. Champions keep going no matter what. I mean, expect when they can’t walk haha 🙂
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
Good 🙂
You are so very welcome 🙂
That is such an awesome comment. I am so glad that you can get lost for a bit and not have to worry about anything else in life. Incredible. I love Paulo Coelho as well 🙂
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
Good 🙂 Hopefully many more posts will
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
Baseball and sports in general offer some amazing analogies to life. And you are so right about performing without your best stuff. It is belief that drives your game at that point. Belief that you still have what it takes to help your team win. Thats how winners are made.
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If you’re a dreamer, go now…or you will regret it. Connect with me on Facebook http://on.fb.me/RC57QW and Twitter http://bit.ly/Z0zCq9 for daily motivation
Love the baseball analogy (and not just because I played the game myself for many years).
It’s a well-known aphorism–what separates the great pitchers from all the rest is the ability to retire hitters WITHOUT one’s best stuff. It’s a pretty decent lesson for other endeavors…how well can you perform at whatever it is you’re doing when you’re not at the top of your game?
that gave me goosebumps. thanks for sharing!
Hi Evan,
Thank you for following. Wanted to share how much I enjoy getting lost in your blog posts 🙂 So many great lessons shared.
*When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. ~Paulo Coelho
Continue striving!
Laila
Powerful words! Thank you for the great post!
I like it! Great lesson! I may quote it on my Facebook… just saying. 😉
Great stuff Evan,
Champions keep going regardless of the situation
be good to yourself
David
Great message. 80% of the time we are average but it is what we do in our averageness that determines our greatness.What do we do with what we have…yes lots to chew on…
Thanks
A great message from your coach, and I know he was talking about sports but it applies to everything. Thanks for sharing.
Wow.
Okay.
Weird.
This spoke to me.
Totally.
Almost felt like you were saying this just for me (which obviously you are not, since you don’t even know me and I’m not that narcissistic to think that the entire world revolves around me – only most of it 😉 )
So thank you for sharing this. You are right, it might just be the ultimate life lesson!
Before on gushing, I will now shut up (after thanking you for stopping by my place earlier) and head on over to the follow button.
Seriously, Evan, this is awesome! – Thanks for sharing
🙂 K.
Great message Evan! A very inspirational way to start the year. Grace