Musings using Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush

Whether or not you were glued to the TV watching football bowl games, you have surely heard about the athletic prowess demonstrated by Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. Whether relaxing at the spa or at the sports bar, TV brought you three stunning examples of success. Success = determination + focus + excellent physical conditioning + clarity. These three men have them all. As life coaches we work with intelligent, well traveled clients who keep tabs on current events. What caught our attention about the recent bowl games was the coaching that took place. All the athletes in these games all skilled; they wouldn't be in that position if they weren't. Whether or not you're a football fan, their example and those of their teammates, was inspiring. Let's look at the four elements of success and see what we find: Determination: What are you willing to do to succeed? Are you willing to turn off the TV (except for bowl games, of course!), to let the answering machine take the calls, and rearrange parts of your day to make what you want a priority? This can be easier than you think if you are clear. Clarity: Our favorite way to get clear about what you want is to identify what you don't want. Make a list of all those things you are not fond of, really let yourself wallow in the negative for a bit. Review the list, and ask yourself what you would like, changing all those negatives into positives. Focus: How far can you get with it / without it? Know how it feels when you have an eyelash in your eye, a splinter in your pinky, or a rock in your shoe? These things get your attention - you focus on them. You are constitutionally capable of focusing. The trick is to focus on what you want with the same intensity. The other good news is you are in charge of choosing where you'll put your focus. Physical condition: Are you willing to get off the couch? Are you willing to park in the far corner and walk across the lot to the mall? It is not necessary to have a gym membership to improve your fitness (although it's an option). You can walk around the block, lift weights with canned goods, or volunteer to walk the dogs at the local SPCA. Being in good physical condition boots your fitness as well as your morale. When you stop trying to be someone else, really let your individual light shine, you can do whatever you want. Coaches support you to be the best you you can be. That's the essence of the coaching we saw during the bowl games. You may not choose to use your spare time on an athletic field; however, you can use their inspiration to find what you love and pursue it. Combine this type of support with the above four success ingredients and you're good to go.