Day Six: It Takes Practice

In honor of this being one of the most-loved sports days in American culture, we'll go with a sports theme for our tip of the day.

I love this quote and wish I knew who said it.  "Good players practice until they get it right.  Great players practice until they never get it wrong."

Athletes who inspire others are the ones who are willing to push beyond exhaustion to achieve a goal.  They are the ones spending hours on a field while no one is watching to achieve mere moments of acknowledgement under the spotlight.  They are good at what they do because they keep trying.  Some may have natural ability and skill, but until they learn to control and direct that ability, their ability to make a contribution is limited.  For most great athletes, their will to push themselves is often the deciding factor between first and second place, or even between winning and losing.

Winning at relationships is equally important.  Setting a goal such as one set for the challenge this month is frightening because we aren't sure of our ability to succeed.

Being great at relationships takes practice.  Once we get it right, the challenge would be to keep practicing until we never get it wrong.

And no matter who wins Superbowl XLV, the opportunity to be great at relationships with friends, children, spouses (and even the crazy driver in the lane next to you) is worth hours and hours of grueling practice.

It will get easier.  After a while it may even start to feel natural.  And even though you might not get your moment in the spotlight for all those hours and hours of practice, you'll hold a place of esteem in the hearts of the people who matter most.