Build Up To Breakthrough

The book “Good To Great” talks about the concept of build-up to breakthrough. As much as in the book they are discussing the idea of how great companies had a period of organization of systems, process development, etc. etc. to develop from good companies into great ones, this concept holds a whole different meaning for me with respect to the world of Elite Performance Sport.

The Build Up

When looking at an athlete, the concept of build-up speaks to the fundamentals. Yes, the physical qualities needed to play the sport, and the skills of the game, but I would argue there is more to it.

When an athlete plays professionally (or often high-level amateur) there are a number of things expected from them, whether explicitly stated to them or not.

  • Athletes are expected to be in shape
  • Athletes are expected to show up on time (or EARLY) for practices and games
  • Athletes are expected to be good teammates (obviously for team sport athletes)
  • Athletes are expected to be accountable for themselves. ( Take proper care to ensure the best results possible in competition)

These are only to name a few, but I’m sure if we sat down and thought about it, it would be easy to continue to add to this list.

Getting back to the process of build-up for an athlete, this is the time that athletes need to be developing habits to ensure future success. Yes, it is important to be practicing, training hard, etc. but this is also the time to BECOME the professional. Teams want to take on athletes that are mature, and ready to make the jump to the next level. If you use youth sports effectively, by the time you are reaching higher levels you are both physically and mentally prepared to do what it takes to succeed. Practice and build these habits you need for success at higher levels as EARLY as possible. If you do this, you are building a better all around person which translates into the development of a better overall athlete.

The Breakthrough

The breakthrough can happen at many different points of an athlete’s career. Sometimes, they have the natural skill to carry themselves quite far, but by putting in place the habits I discussed earlier I firmly believe athletes will reach a breakthrough point in their careers where their results in sport will begin to skyrocket. Obviously, the most successful careers are generally looked at as the ones who go for the longest at the highest level. Now personally, I look at this as the ones who find their breakout point the soonest, and are able to maintain what got them there.

If you are able to build the habits I discussed above by younger ages, you are putting yourself far and away above your competition. By the time it gets to the years that “really matter” you are showing your coaches, your teammates, potential scouts, and everyone else around that you are serious about your athletic career. **DISCLAIMER** This is not me telling you that specializing in one sport straight from day 1 is the way to go. This is me telling you that no matter what sport you’re playing, or what activity you are participating in… do it to the BEST of your abilities and create habits that will help you in the future. By doing this in all your activities at younger ages, you will hopefully be able to more easily transition these habits into the sport you are taking to the top level more effectively.

Learn how to create your breakthrough as early as possible, and then learn how to keep yourself at the TOP! You’ve got this.. Let’s go!