"Greatness doesn't fall from the tree of complacency.
Complacency is a silent killer. It creeps up on you like a thief in the night and robs you of your full potential. You won't even know that complacency is there until after everybody else has noticed it - by then, most have already taken advantage of complacency's presence in your life. Just as weeds will choke out and destroy the flowers in your garden - complacency will choke out and destroy every goal and dream in your life.
Complacency lures you in by giving you the illusion of self-satisfaction and contentment. Contentment kills motivation. If greatness is your goal, then you have to protect and defend yourself against and from complacency in your attitude, in your approach, and in your actions.
Greatness doesn't fall from the tree of laziness.
Laziness is the result of the loss of momentum that leads to the cessation of progress. The loss of momentum and the loss of progress is usually attached to disappointment and discouragement which fuels a lack of self esteem - a lack of self belief - and ultimately - a lack of motivation.
A lot of players get trapped into trading in their long term progress for short term comfort. As they trudge the road of happy destiny - they finally arrive at the fork in the roads that leads to PROGRESS or STAGNATION. They look down the road of progress and see that there are battles to be fought and mountains to climb. As they stare down that road, they realize that they might have to crawl on their hands and knees through fields of broken glass and razor blades - through minefields and firestorms - it's tough - dangerous road that intimidates more than it entices.
Suddenly ... they look down the road of stagnation. It is much more inviting. There is a warm, comfy couch - sitting in front of a fireplace - a remote control for a big screen TV that hangs on the wall - add in a couple of pepperoni pizzas from Domino's and a 12 pack of Bud - and it looks like a great place to relax and enjoy! It's an easy decision! They take the easy way - and the easy way takes you to an abrupt dead end that I call STAGNATION.
The funny things is ... once you're trapped in that dead end - enjoying yourself and lounging on that couch - flipping the channels - enjoying the pizza and the beer and all the comfort that comes with accomplishing nothing - immediately the door slams shut behind you. You're trapped. You're locked in. There is no way out, Once the pizza and beer runs out and fire smolders to its death - you will be left there all by yourself - usually lost, usually disoriented, and definitely unmotivated. Your character building has been lost in your rush for comfort. If greatness is your goal - if you aspire to be an exceptional player as well as an exceptional person - then you MUST protect and defend yourself from laziness in your attitude, in your approach, in your thoughts, in your words, and in your actions.
Greatness falls from the tree of constant hard work, fearless dedication, and total commitment. Take note of the adjectives that I have attached to those qualities. Those are what I call "ABSOLUTE" words. I believe that it is extremely important to find and use definitive and descriptive words that add an "absolute" quality to everything that you do - then put those words into constant, permanent action.
The word absolute ... it means ... free from restriction or limitation; not limited in any way - unrestrained - unlimited - free from imperfection.
Strengthen your words and you will strengthen your mind and the thoughts that it will generate. Inner strength is the result of conquering inner weakness. Inner strength comes in many different shapes and sizes - but I recommend that you invest in the unlimited variety of inner strength - and bond that unlimited inner strength to your vocabulary.
When you add unlimited strength to your words - you add unlimited strength to the your thoughts - this will unavoidably add unlimited strength to your attitude. By protecting and defending yourself from laziness, complacency, and stagnation, you will have a distinct advantage in your overall approach to life and of the challenges that will come with it." ~ Blackjack's Random Thoughts, 03-15-2002.
