We worked hard Bruns

            A few Eastern Illinois guys and I were on our way to Cooler Classic.  We were reminiscing about past games at the tournament site we were going to be playing at.  The guys on Eastern were particularly fond of a universe point game they had against CUT a few years ago.  Simon Montague and Mike Schwenk we’re going at it and a small crowd had formed.

            A few days later ISU emailed Eastern asking the reaper guys, “how does Eastern start a new program and a few years later end up on universe point with CUT?”  Schwenk thought the question was hilarious.  I fell for the bait, I too was befuddled with how Eastern improved so quickly and I asked the Eastern guys what the answer was.  “How does Eastern start a new program and a few years later end up on universe with CUT?”  The answer came quick, loud and with a slight sense of irritation.

           

“We worked hard Bruns.”

            Mike was almost irritated that I would even ask.  ISU and I were looking for some secret.  Some magic path to develop talent and break through whatever walls we perceive around us.  We want someone to say, “do these drills, do more plyos, do these lifts, try these crossfits, try this try that,” but to Mike it wasn’t about doing the right drills or completing certain workouts. It’s about a mentality.  If everyone works hard, then whatever drills you do are going to have some benefit.  If everyone works hard, then any exercise you do will help.  

Looking for a shortcut or a secret devalues what they did, and how hard they worked to get it.  The next time you are chatting with someone who has improved a lot at something, don’t ask them for a magical drill or secret workout, try to gauge how much time and effort they put into getting better and that should help you frame out what you need to do moving forward.

James Roush was the other guy in the car.