“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect it’s successful outcome.”
–William James
That virtually sums it up. It doesn’t matter what the goal is, but rather the attitude with which we approach it.
If you have a positive outlook, and believe that you’re going to accomplish what you set out to do, then you will. No doubt about it. Unfortunately, we usually tend to think of all the things that hold us back from accomplishing our goals…. including me.
I’ve always been “thin.” I graduated high school the same height I am now, but only weighed 140 lbs. Yet, as a freshman in high school I played for the varsity baseball team and lettered all 4 years as the starting catcher. I was pretty good too.
But I felt like I would never get a shot, because so many people told me I was too skinny to be a catcher, even for the college level. I remember as a 16 year old going to a MLB scouting tryout with a bunch of high school seniors and college kids.
As a catcher, we were all timed on our throws from home to second base, simulating a throw we would make to try to catch a potential base stealer. I out threw every single other guy there… as a 16 year old.
Several scouts talked to me that day, but all of them said the same thing… “I wish you had 40 more pounds of muscle. You’re just too skinny to play at the ‘next level’.”
The wind was out of my sails and I began to accept their prediction. My attitude became that of someone defeated…not determined.
Even though I earned All Conference and All State honors my senior year, I was not recruited by single four year university. I decided to go tryout for a small junior college. And I’ll never forget when my attitude made the change for the positive.
The junior college coach looked at me and said, “Well, you can come play here without a scholarship and at best you’d be our third backup.” That did it!
I took the approach right then and there to prove him wrong… to prove them all wrong. I simply said, “Where do I sign?” I hit the weight room the next day, determined to get bigger and stronger.
Long story short… I started both years at my junior college earning All-Conference honors. I was recruited by many top universities and went on to play for a four year university on a full ride scholarship. And eventually, I signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees and played for 2 1/2 years in their minor league system.
I chose to go after my dream (goal). And took what was always a negative, and made a conscious effort to have a positive approach and belief.
I eventually did gain that 40 pounds of muscle. In fact, my last year with the Yankees I weighed 203 lbs (at 12% body fat.) I’m obviously not that big anymore. I don’t need to be and my workouts are much different now too.
So remember, your attitude greatly affects your level of success. If you sense negative thoughts about the task ahead of you to reach your goal, throw it out…get rid of it.
Focus on being positive and believe that with hard work and persistence you can and will achieve your goals.
To your continued success,
Clint Barr
