Greatness?

What does it take to be great? What’s the difference between a good athlete and a great athlete? are world class athletes born or made? Is there a genetic predisposition to greatness or is greatness a product of dedication and hard work? One way to answer such questions is to ask the best athletes what it takes to “make it” at the highest level in their sport. And that’s exactly what I did with the help of professor Martin Miller of Albany State University. In interviews with over one hundred National and World Champion powerlifters, we identified the following conditions that the athletes felt were necessary to reach an elite level in their sport: commitment, quality training, mental toughness, goal setting, self-confidence, focus of attention, optimism, etc. Here are just a few of the responses we got from some of the greatest names in our sport.

“If you want to be great you have to be totally committed to your goals. I believe if you study the difference between successful and unsuccessful athletes you’ll find commitment is the number one factor. In order to achieve greatness an athlete has to want it more than the other guy. He has to be willing to work longer and harder. He has to be willing to sacrifice a lot. I know a lot of athletes who say they want to be great; but when things get tough, they quit. Great athletes don’t function that way. When things get tough they get tougher. They are totally dedicated to what they want to accomplish. And they will doe whatever it takes to get there. Determination and commitment–that’s what it is, that’s what will make you great. Curtis Leslie, WPDC World Powerlifting Champion.

“Obviously genetics are very important, but I believe you have to have a strong work ethic, too. You’re not going to become a champion unless you’re willing to train hard. It takes many hours of training to become a world class competitor. Nothing in this world comes to you easily. Everything you want in life you have to work hard for, and if you want to be a world champion, you have to work even that much harder. All things worth having are worth working for. You can have all the talent in the world; but if you’re not willing to work, you’ll never achieve greatness. Chris Confessore has great genetics, but the reason he is the greatest bench presser in the world is because he works incredibly hard. It’s hard work-long hard hours that will make you a champion.” Frank Pfraumer, World Bench Press Champion

“I don’t think that you can point to one thing that makes an athlete great. Certainly he has to be willing to work hard and sacrifice a lot. He also has to be mentally focused. When you compete on a world class level, it’s a lot different. Everyone at that level is so determined. They will do anything to win. Their entire life is committed to achieving excellence. They are totally focused on their goals. It is their sole purpose in life. Very few people are willing to sacrifice so much to reach a goal. I believe it’s this total commitment to excellence- the obsession with being great that separates elite athletes from the others. There are other things, too, like confidence, mental toughness and optimism; but I’d have to say that being “single-mind’ is probably the most important factor in reaching world class status.” Ralf Gierz, World Powerlifting Champion

Good genetics, a strong belief in yourself, a great work ethic, commitment, and an unwavering belief in God. At least that’s what’s worked for me.” James Henderson, World Bench Press Champion

“The greatest athletes are not always the genetically superior, but are the athletes who are motivated psychologically enough to make a total commitment to their athletic discipline to the exclusion of family career and personal goals. To be truly great one has to sacrifice everything and compromise nothing.” Ben Lockett, World Masters Powerlifting Champion

“First of all, you have to believe in yourself. In fact, self confidence is a must if you’re going to achieve greatness. I know a lot of guys who want to be a world champion. They talk about it constantly, but in their heart they really don’t believe they can reach that level. They don’t have the confidence in themselves to be really great. When you compete on a world class level, you have to believe that you can do anything, that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. Most athletes aren’t capable of thinking that way, they’re not mentally tough enough. Great athletes believe they can do everything and they usually can. As our Lord said, belief can move a mountain. If you’re going to be great you have to believe in yourself. I think you will also find that most great athletes are self-motivated. They are intrinsically driven to be great. They don’t need someone standing over them to get things done. They don’t need money, trophies or praise. They have drive from within. They compete because they love the game. When an athlete gets to that level, he’s hard to defeat. The only thing that matters is the game. Everything else is secondary. Of course, great athletes also work hard and sacrifice a lot, but I think the main thing is the belief they have in themselves and their intrinsic drive to be great. That’s what takes them to a different level.” Dan Austin, World Powerlifting Champion

“To be successful in sports, you need desire, focus and knowledge. I believe desire is ninety percent of it, though. It’s not easy to go to the gym each day and drive your body to the very limit. You have to want it with a great passion, All the great athletes that I have met have this type of passion for their sport. A desire to be the very best that they can be. This is not a simple thing I’m talking about. It’s a total commitment.” Karl Saliger, World Powerlifting Champion.

Article Source: Iron Curtain Labs