Q1Nov / Dec - Suffer then Grow
Jason Scott • December 11, 2020
Have you ever wondered what a marathon runner thinks about on the 14th mile of a 24 mile training run? Or, how a 10 week boxing training camp might be different from just training in boxing? Or, what sports and daily life have to do with each other? Maybe it's just me.
Author, keynote speaker and business consultant Rasmus Ankersen wrote the book above called The Gold Mine Effect: Crack The Secrets of High Performance. He has written another book that I briefly discussed in my October blog called Innovation and Pivots. Today I want to disclose some comparisons and observations that I am seeing come to life today in the midst of our current situation. As I write this, COVID, an extremely infectious disease is still wrecking havoc around the world. To date 67,781,393 people have contracted the virus, 437,000,000 people have recovered, and 1,548,516 have died. One could look back through history to find other pandemics that have dramatically impacted the world but I want to talk about what might be produced on the other side of these trials, hardships and catastrophes.
In his book, The Gold Mine Effect, Mr. Ankersen outlines what goes into uncovering the next high performance superstar. Some examples given of past "diamonds in the rough" include now Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo, six - time NBA finals champion and Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, six - time Gold medalist sprinter Asafa Powell and many others. The list of achievers is not limited to sports phenoms, it also includes businessmen, musical prodigies, billionaire entrepreneurs and coaches. Normal people that have achieved the heights of success and acclaim. Three overarching takeaways from the book were:
- Good Talent Is Not Necessarily Right Talent
- What You See Is Not Necessarily What You Get
- Never Overrate Certificates and Never Underrate Character
There is an amazing video online where Rasmus gives a short lesson on the takeaways listed and goes a little deeper into his findings. If you are a business owner or leader, coach, teacher, parent, or athlete I would highly suggest you check out the video here.
What You See Is Not Necessarily
What You Get
The second and third overarching takeaways deviate from objective metrics and plunge into the internals of potential high performers. Numbers can only tell you so much of the story behind a person's performance but if you look deeper in their story you may find the real reason behind their success. It is here that, although the words are not used, the soul and spirit are implied. The mind, the will and the emotions play a huge role in achieving future success. However, often overlooked is the "fuel" that keeps them going. Much of the time, the fuel used is actually heartache, hardship and suffering. Ask any athlete, business owner or coach when they learned the most about themselves and the majority will tell you that it wasn't when things were pleasurable but when they were in the midst of suffering - justly or unjustly - but suffering nonetheless. From the outside we may never see it but on the inside some people are dealing with intense suffering that is now very much a part of who they are. And for some high performers, it is the thing that drives them.
A phrase from Scripture that encapsulates this point comes from the story of Jospeh. The line from the verse says, ..."And after he [Joseph] shaved and changed his clothes he went in and stood before Pharaoh".
For some context - Joseph had been sold as a slave by his brothers, falsely accused of rape by his boss' wife and left in prison for somewhere between 8 - 12 years. Imagine with me, the day that that man emerged from his prison cell, and stepped in front of a mirror after a hot shower to shave his now bearded face.The eyes staring back out of that mirror hardly resemble those from twelve years earlier. Joseph has changed. Yes, some on the outside, but on the inside... Joseph would go on to become what we might call the prime minister of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Have you ever asked a marathoner-in-training what they think about on their long run training days? Maryland is beautiful in the fall, with its rolling hills and scenic landscapes; but ask a runner and they'll tell you, "I try NOT to think about anything (especially my burning lungs and aching legs). I go somewhere else in my mind and focus on one thing at a time." One step, one tree, one breath, at a time. While we may see a "runner" in training and possibly say to ourselves, that person looks to be running, which we would be correct when observing, we don't have the slightest idea of the mental, emotional and spiritual torment that "runner" is, right then battling against. Yes, I said torment. Yes, I said battle.
Click here
to see for yourself.
1 Peter 1:13 (a) says, Therefore, prepare your minds for action.
Im not seeing any comparisons here, Scott. What does high performance have to do with COVID?
I'm getting there.
COVID has done many things but one thing it has done for sure is squeeze people. Restrictions, postponements, closings and deaths for seemingly months on end has produced a level of discomfort and suffering that some people have never felt before. What I am comparing is the torment of all that this pandemic has imposed on people and the torment that is imposed on the high performing person. But not just that, more importantly what comes out of those trials and hardships. I believe that what is produced on the other side of suffering is far more important than the suffering itself. I believe clarity and gratitude are two byproducts. You learn what really matters, and what is really important, while at the same time learning what you might have taken for granted. They're sober lessons, but ones we won't be sure to forget because of their cost on our persons.
Hmm, so you're saying there is more than meets the eye with some folks? I agree. I'm pretty sure Ronaldo grew up poor, MJ had father issues and Powell was a late bloomer ...
I am saying what you think you see is only a shell of what is really there. Behind the eyes lives the spirit and soul - the only place where you could ever find that "thing" that pushes people through suffering to the other side to character growth. I propose the best soil for authentic gratitude and clarity is suffering.
And what about this, "never overrating certificates and never underrating character" business?
What do you think about it?
In the world of youth football, the Howard County Titans have always emphasized more than just the final score. It’s about developing young athletes into not only skilled players but also responsible and mature individuals. One vital aspect of this development is learning through loss, teaching our young Titans to compete until the end of the whistle. Every game, whether it results in victory or defeat, is an opportunity for growth. It’s easy to cheer when you’re ahead on the scoreboard, but true character emerges when things don’t go your way. When our young athletes face defeat, they learn to appreciate the importance of perseverance and dedication. It’s not about the score; it’s about giving it your all until that final whistle blows. But what sets the Howard County Titans apart is the sense of brotherhood that permeates the program. Every player, coach, and admin member knows that they are part of something more significant than themselves. Through the trials and tribulations of a game, they experience the profound bonds of camaraderie. When one Titan falls, others rally around to lift him up, both on and off the field. Competing to the end of the whistle teaches valuable life lessons. It instills resilience, discipline, and a strong work ethic. These traits don’t just benefit our young athletes on the football field; they prepare them for life’s challenges. In the face of adversity, Titans are taught to persevere, no matter the odds. Maturity is another crucial aspect of the Titans’ ethos. Through victories and losses, our players learn to take responsibility for their actions, to handle defeat with grace, and to celebrate victories with humility. Maturity is not just about physical growth but emotional and mental growth as well. It’s about developing young individuals who can face the world with confidence and integrity. As the Chief Correspondent for the Howard County Titans, I have witnessed these values in action. Our young athletes are not just learning football skills; they are learning life skills that will serve them well beyond the field. The Howard County Titans program instills a sense of pride, camaraderie, and maturity in every participant, and I am excited to see these lessons shape the bright future of our young athletes. Go Titans Football
What do high achievers and the world have in common right now? The suffering they are going through. But thats not the end. Suffering produces something on the back end. And it's valuable. In this article I compare the suffering happening under COVID with the suffering of high performance people. And what the end products are once that suffering is lifted.
You go 100% virtual and 100% personal!
Summer 2020 was full of lessons on Pivoting and Innovation
