Are You Strong Enough To Handle Critics?

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again because there is not effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt; 26th President of the United States 

Talent is Never Enough

There are so many talented people in the world, but why is it that so many never reach their full talent potential?  The reason, author Fred Smith says, "Is that the giftedness is usually greater than the person."  People who are talented often go about their daily routine thinking that they can succeed on talent alone.  But that is a completely false and dangerous mindset.  It takes much more than talent to succeed in business or life.  Philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show.  Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to a new power as a benefactor."  But how do we utilize the talent that God has graciously given us?  What do we need to do in order to pull every ounce of talent out of ourselves?  In John Maxwell's book, Talent Is Never Enough, he writes his 13 key choices that are a necessity in order to reach our maximum potential. 

1. BELIEF lifts your talent.
2. PASSION energizes your talent.
3. INITIATIVE activates your talent.
4. FOCUS directs your talent.
5. PREPARATION positions your talent.
6. PRACTICE sharpens your talent.
7. PERSEVERANCE sustains your talent.
8. COURAGE tests your talent.
9. TEACHABILITY expands your talent.
10. CHARACTER protects your talent.
11. RELATIONSHIPS influence your talent.
12. RESPONSIBILITY strengthens your talent.
13. TEAMWORK multiplies your talent.

So, as coaches, how can we get the most out of our talent?  How can we use these principles to motivate our players?  What choices do we need to start making to reach our potential.  And players, how can you use these tips to make you a better teammate or player on the court?  We all need to take a look and examine our hearts to see if we possess these 13 qualities that will make the most of our talent.  If we are lacking then changes need to be made.  Talent is never enough, so let's pursue our full potential that God has given us and really go beyond our talent.

Taken from John C. Maxwell's book, Talent is Never Enough.