California Aces

                                  

Life Lesson #39: Persistence

Never, ever quit

As part of current elite training program, Friday Night Lights, we conduct a monthly classroom session, held off of the playing field, and dedicated entirely to addressing the mental game of baseball in a relevant and understandable way. The first classroom session covered the topic of Goals, and provided me the opportunity to go back and review notes and materials in preparing to speak on the topic. While doing so, I continually and consistently came across the term persistence as one of the most important character traits athletes can show in working to achieve goals. When working towards goals, whether baseball related or not, an athlete will inevitably run into obstacles, difficulties, even mini-failures. Persistence is the athlete’s ability to never quit – a drive that keeps an athlete working, swinging, throwing, and fielding through tough times.

 
Those who have cultivated the habit of persistence seem to enjoy insurance against failure. No matter how many times they are defeated, they finally arrive up toward the top of the ladder.

~ Napoleon Hill from, Think and Grow Rich

 
When I think of friends and peers that have made the big leagues, every one of them shared a dogged persistence towards the game. Known as a “game of failure,” consistent success in baseball absolutely requires persistence. In order to play the game at any level, an athlete must be able to pick himself up after defeat. Whether that defeat is a single at-bat, a one-game loss, or a season full of difficulties, a baseball player must have the will and desire (aka persistence) NOT to give in.

It is commonly said that hitting a baseball is the most difficult feat in sports. Hit a round ball, with a round bat, as it travels along an unknown path at high rates of speed – not easy! There will ALWAYS be areas needing improvement while learning to pitch or hit, and persistent athletes will accelerate their learning curve by returning to work, pitch after pitch, day after day, week after week. It may take 1001 swings to engrain a certain swing component, but the athlete that swings that last time will be glad he did not stop at 1000. Inevitably, this game requires persistence to improve and reach higher levels of performance.

HOW TO DEVELOP PERSISTENCE
There are four steps that can help develop the habit of persistence. These four items do not call for tremendous intelligence or extensive training, and require little time or effort:

 
  1. Purpose - A clearly defined purpose (why) backed by a burning desire for its achievement.
     
  2. Plan - A clearly defined plan, with specific action steps to continuously make progress.
     
  3. Positive - A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of critics, coaches, relatives or friends.
     
  4. Peers - A friendly alliance with one or more people (athletes or not) who will encourage, push and hold one accountable to follow through with both plan and purpose (see Life Lesson #48 – Peers).
Following these four steps helps to convert goals into their physical realities. Along the way, these four steps comprising persistence will assist in experiencing good luck, favorable “breaks” and timely opportunities. In today’s game, baseball players come from all walks of life and all parts of the globe. Seeking fame, fortune, glory, or money, these players strive to be successful. Every so often a player rises from the ranks of the many and makes the Big Leagues causing the baseball community to buzz about this latest player who has arrived and made it to “the show.” But the game of baseball is not easily conquered! It acknowledges talent, recognizes performance and pays off in ridiculous salary only after a player has absolutely refused to quit! When a player does arrive in the Major Leagues, it is suffice to say that this athlete has discovered, consciously or not, that the secret to achievement on the diamond is directly connected to one word – persistence!

 
Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

~ Nelson Mandela