There may not be a more detrimental word on this Earth than complacency. Sure, there are terms that rival it. Apathy. Lack of Discipline. Lethargy. Lazy. Short-sightedness. Careless. Irresponsible. All of those terms can be difficult to overcome & change, but usually easy to identify. What about not settling once success has been achieved on a level you have never known before? After all, you've accomplished things you've never yet experienced. It's easy to point out looming particulars that need changing in our lives, our routines, or our programs. However when those are not glaring factors in terms of being successful, how do we possess or obtain the resolve to take our challenges to the next level? How do we assess & perfect the tiny blemishes, the microscopic imperfections?
I can't say that over the years I have been one to be impressed by Nick Saban. He has always come off to me as arrogant & unable to be pleased. However after Alabama's 3rd NCAA Championship in 4 years & actually taking the time to analyze their accomplishments & the way their programs goes about business it become apparent to me what they have been trying to accomplish. Before Coach Saban arrived on campus, Alabama had been irrelevant on the national stage for well over a decade. When Alabama one their first title in 2009, the following year the coaching staff was not able to, at that time, keep their players from becoming satisfied with the accomplishments of the previous year. After all, a vast majority of their players already had a big, shiny ring. What finally turned my perspective on Coach Saban was what he had to say after winning their 3rd championship this past season, that they would enjoy their accomplishments for two days before starting their 2013 campaign. They would evaluate themselves & determine the areas that are in need of improvement. That we are never without fault. Our systems are never perfect or without flaw. What an unbelievable thought. After dominating the college football world 3 of 4 years, they would only allow themselves to celebrate for two days before getting back to work. It seems irrational. Weird. Why not enjoy what you have worked so tirelessly to achieve? What was made apparent to me, was the mindset it takes to be successful at the highest level possible year in & year out. There are no off days in your pursuit of your greatest destiny & everlasting legacy.
Tasting success, no matter how great, can only be only enjoyed for a short amount of time. A mountain takes an incredible amount of time & effort to climb. Every inch up the mountain requires great attention. However, the slide down the mountain can happen in the blink of an eye with one misguided step, one missed opportunity. Once the tumble begins, it is virtually impossible to reverse. There will undoubtedly be others trying to push you off the peak, pull you down. There is no time to relax or become complacent. That is what we call a plateau. Plateaus level off. The trail becomes easy. In the world of competition, there are no plateaus. There IS a place where the unworthy gather. The village in the valley, where life is easy. There is no room at the top of the mountain for company. It takes great courage to reach the top, but only the brave, only the resilient, only the committed, remain at the summit. Those who have conditioned themselves to the elements, prepared themselves for the pain, can weather the chill of the solitude & loneliness at the top. You will certainly reach a point that feels like you have accomplished a great deal, that you have come a long way, but what separates you from any of the countless others that started the journey & didn't possess the fortitude to keep trudging forward? There are no cabins, no residences on the road to success. You may garner accomplishments you take pride in, but how can you take pride in settling for less than what you can be? It may seem evident to yourself that you were able to make it further than most, but there are no records kept for those who "almost" make it to the top. Assess yourself. Is what you have already accomplished enough for you to never look back on with regret? It's EASY to settle. It's NORMAL to be satisfied. The greatest battle is within yourself. EMBRACE the challenges, ROMANCE the obstacles & CHAMPION the uncommon...
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