We all learned in science class that what goes up must come down thanks to gravity. However, few of us learned that there’s a force almost as strong as gravity known as human nature that has the same effect on people. How many times have we seen athletes and others rise quickly to the highest heights and then just as quickly fall all the way back down to the ground? It’s a natural phenomena that repeats in almost all aspects of life.

Why does this happen? One explanation is that when success comes too quickly or easily we miss out on all the struggles along the way that most people are forced to endure. Some may assume that’s a blessing as most people try and avoid struggles and focus on what they are comfortable doing or already good at doing anyway. I would argue that this is what keeps most people from being as successful as they could be. Valuable lessons are almost always learned through our struggles, so when those struggles are missed we are left with fewer skills to get us through the hard times that we all inevitably have to face.

Unfortunately, in my eyes, as a result of having enormous physical gifts, Vince Young was able to forgo a lot of the lessons he needed to thrive at the highest level of sport. As a result he is well equipped for success physically, but lacking in the areas of development of poise, perseverance and mental toughness in the face of adversity. Vince cannot be blamed for the predicament he’s in, but it is now his responsibility to take steps to make up for it and correct it.

Sadly the common remedy I have seen athletes take for this problem is to work hard to get into the best physical shape of their life. Obviously this is a mistake and has a similar success rate to that of putting a new roof on a house with a faulty foundation. As I alluded to earlier, it is human nature to work on things you are already good at, at the expense of what needs attention. Ignoring the fundamental issue will never solve your problem regardless of the level of physical condition you attain.

Many athletes can get away with a focus on their physical side all the way up to collegiate sports, but it is the players who possess a mental edge that begin to separate themselves from the crowd at the highest levels. Numerous professional coaches have told me that it is not the most talented players on their team that get the most minutes, but rather the ones who work the hardest on the mental and physical side that play the most important roles on the team.

So are players like Vince Young lost causes? I certainly don’t think so, but it depends on their desire and willingness to face their problems head on and work through them. I have worked with several players who were subverting their progress without realizing it. Many of them made huge strides after just several weeks of working with them on my TEA form mental exercise. Once I was able to help them change their internal dialogue, they grew exponentially on and off the field soon afterwards.

Sometimes a physical injury can help the process as it is a time of reflection for the athlete and since they are physically sidelined, they may be more motivated to tackle their mental side. I have no doubt that Vince could turn his career around, but it is up to him and the clock is already ticking.

“Just Do It” Vince!

Posted in The Mind Side Blog