Every year college rodeo coaches across the country search for the most talented athletes to fill their rosters with. We are all searching for the next rodeo stars.
I am right there with the rest of the coaches, recruiting at rodeos across the country. But over the past few years I am starting to believe that people who have the following ten characteristics will be successful in our sport. Talent is great, but talent alone is never enough.
Here is a list that many of you have probably read before. I give this list to my students at the beginning of each year. The most talented students are normally not the most successful, unless they have the majority of the following characteristics. Very simply put, talent alone is simply not enough to be successful.
10 Things That Require Zero Talent.
1. Being on time. Time management is a great skill that truly requires no talent. You will make time and be on time for what you truly desire.
2. Work ethic. Don’t let others out work you in the practice pen or the classroom. We are in a competitive sport and if you allow yourself to get outworked in the practice pen, expect the same results in the competition arena.
3. Effort. What does your 100% effort look like? Do you give it every day?
4. Body language. How you move and express yourself around your coaches, teammates and judges shape who you are and how you are perceived. It may not seem like a big deal but it is.
5. Energy. Everyone has energy to devote to a goal especially the first few days, and the decision of how much to give. Those who can show up every day with energy will energize others. It is contagious.
6. Attitude. If you have a great attitude others will gravitate to work with you. If you have a poor attitude people will go out of their way to avoid you.
7. Passion. Every great competitor I have ever met has had passion. It is easy to work for what you are passionate about.
8. Being coachable. Most coaches have worked with people in your situation before; their experience can be invaluable if you allow it to be. Many times contestants only see the picture in front of them, while many coaches are working with you for the big picture. To reach the results you both desire you must work to be coachable.
9. Doing extra. I see this all of the time; the students who reached their goals first were the ones who consistently worked at their craft beyond what was required.
10. Being prepared. There is great truth in the saying: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.