Young Richie McCaw wanted to play for the legendary New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team. His uncle knew and told the eight year-old to write his name, Richie McCaw, G.A.B. Richie McCaw, Greatest All-Black.
Seeing it helped the youngster become it.
Joshua Metcalf wrote the book, Chop Wood, Carry Water. Fall in love with the process of becoming the metaphorical Samurai archer. Devote yourself to the daily work of skill building, game understanding, physical and psychological hardening. "Understand that creating something worthwhile requires time, discipline, and being in love with the process."
Doing extra workouts during the summer won't guarantee that you'll be 'the best'. It allows you to become your best.
Can you jump rope continuously for five minutes? Fifty plus years ago, we began basketball practice with five minutes of continuous jumping rope.
You might say, "that's hard." The process is hard. Winning is hard. That's what makes it valuable.
"Chop wood, carry water" advises us to service our craft, to refuse to accept less than our best effort.
Lagniappe. Tell them what you're going to say, say it, and tell them what you said." Repetition...repetition...repetition.
"Chop wood, carry water."
"Don't skip steps."
"The magic is in the work."
"There is no shortcut to excellence."
"Do the work."
"Always do your best."
Lagniappe 2. Rebound better. Nature, nurture, or both?