I Will Not Be Outworked

Brothers, let me tell you a quick story...

Growing up, I was pretty good at basketball. So was my best friend.

Our skillsets were different, but we both formed a solid 1-2 punch on the court. We each had aspirations of playing at the collegiate level.

Here's the thing, though...

He went on to play basketball in college.

I didn't.

At the time, I made the excuse that it was because he was a few inches taller... that he was stronger than I was... that he was given more opportunities... that the right scout saw him at the right time.

In time, though, I realized something...

It wasn't because he was more blessed than I was from a physical standpoint.

It wasn't because he got lucky.

It was because he worked harder than I did.

Make no mistake about it... we both technically "worked hard."

He just wanted it more. Simple as that.

If I got up at 6:30 a.m. to shoot jumpers for a half-hour, he was already up at 5:30 a.m. to practice for an hour and a half.

If I trained five days per week, he'd go for all seven.

If I thought my ball-handling was "good enough," he would never settle for that.

The reason I didn't play in college was because it was my fault; I didn't work hard enough.

Although hindsight is always 20/20, looking back, I wish I had the awareness that I have now. Being honest with yourself can be a difficult pill to swallow; it certainly was for me.

Here's the takeaway, brothers: There are no secrets to success.

Hard work will ALWAYS beat talent if talent doesn't work hard...

And we all have the ability to do exactly that.

Even if you don't believe it at first, you have to continue to tell yourself day after day after day...

"I will NOT be outworked."

Other people may have more talent...

Maybe they have more skill...

Maybe they are smarter than you.

But whatever you do, do NOT let them outwork you...

The bridge between reality and a dream is WORK.