I observed 2 high school superstars travel differing trajectories.
One star chose to develop his skills and became one of the most recognizable basketball players on earth.
The other star tried to rely solely on outworking other players with his natural athletic ability and faded into obscurity.
Skilled people rise to the top of their niche.
Everyone else largely vanishes.
Different Trajectories
Both players I mention actually played on the same high school team. Both players became the national player of the year on the high school level. How rare is that? Both players spent 1 year being college superstars before declaring for the NBA. One player became the 1st pick of the draft. The other player became the 2nd pick of the draft.
Going into the NBA, both players boasted superstar potential but one became a star through skills development while the other became a journeyman by trying to succeed with pure physical exertion. He learned how the NBA seems to be a league of highly skilled players complemented by less skilled players who dissolve into obscurity.
The hard work focused player guarded high school All Americans like John Wall and Andrew Drummond well. Imagine that? He could guard lightning quick point guards and athletic centers equally well. Rare is the player who flashes such desire, will, athletic ability and defensive versatility. However, in the NBA, Wall and Drummond became highly skilled freaks who evolved into all stars while this player relying solely on physical exertion dissolved into the shadows.
The skill-obsessed player gradually became the most skilled guard in the world. He can do everything with the basketball. He developed dribbling and scoring skills previously unknown to basketball.
Skills beat hard work alone.
Mindful practice beats mindless hard work.
The world makes way for skilled human beings. Mindless hard workers fade into toil, obscurity and mediocrity.
Imagine if hard work alone guaranteed you a fortune. Hundreds of millions of humans would become billionaires because people generally work hard. But only a few humans out of 7 billion become billionaires. Why? A few humans generously, patiently and persistently develop their skills through diligent practice over 10, 20 then 30 years. Said few humans:
- become billionaires
- evolve into pro athletes
- become professional singers
- mold the world we experience today
Do you mindlessly work hard?
Pack Mules Work Hard
Pack mules work hard; how does this seem to work for them? Mindless animals work hard to fulfill their function in the Universe. Humans working as mindlessly as pack mules fulfill a similar function. Even though every human being has its place and role, too many people live unhappy, bound lives by being unaware of their hard work consciousness.
Humans liberate themselves by shifting from fear-hard-work thinking to skills development thinking.
Live however you wish to live. No human need concern themselves with being happy, liberated or at peace. But feeling depressed, upset or anxious may signal you rely on extreme physical exertion alone – aka hard work – to try to get by. Shifting from a hard work consciousness to a prosperity consciousness anchored on developing skills feels uncomfortable. Picture yourself living in survival mode for 40 years. How would you feel leaving behind the need to survive to live based on making fun, freeing, trusting choices?
Nudge through these fears. Feel discomfort. Develop skills useful to humanity. Practice. Do something diligently to become clear and confident in that area.
The world makes room for skilled people.
About the Author
Ryan Biddulph
Ryan Biddulph helps you learn how to blog at Blogging From Paradise.
Happy Birthday to Me – Life Lessons and a Birthday Request
Three years ago today, I published an article, “7 life lessons I've learned over the past 39 years.” Those lessons remain the
Creating and Marketing and Rejection. Oh My!
Regardless of how encouraging everyone around us may be, we have all received that response. You know what I’m talking about–the one
Personal Development Book of The Month: Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
How many of us have concentrated a significant amount of our efforts on getting rid of ourweaknesses in our pursuit of personal
1 Important Thing to Remember About Coaches
I am technically not a blogging coach because I focus almost solely on passive income streams. I ceased offering coaching services save
Why the Trying to Find Time Excuse Is Not Valid
10:27 PM. Sunday night. I know that 1 hour and 33 minutes expires before Monday greets me. I will likely still be
Best Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief
Stress relief is very important, especially if you are living a hectic life. Let’s discuss some great relaxation techniques to relieve stress.
How I Buy Anything I Really Want
My wife often complains that I'm impossible to shop for when it comes to Christmas or my birthday because I already have
Social Media Wisdom: Move On When It Is Time to Move On
I just blocked someone on Facebook. I deeply appreciate my Facebook buddies. I also know when it's time to move on from
Make Memories a Priority! Vacation Ideas For a Large Group in Tennessee
Last week, we took a vacation as a group with my wife's family. Eighteen of us stayed in Sevierville, TN which is
What Is the Biggest Downside to Being One Dimensional?
16 years ago, I became a security guard. I worked the job for 4 years before the shipping terminal downsized 70% of
Becoming an Achology Certified NLP Practitioner
Part of being a coach is continually working to improve our own skills. Some time ago, I was invited to try out
Lesson from my daughter: Dad, why you gotta be so formal?
The other night, I was working on an article, when I heard my daughter trying to control her laughing. If any of