Most people have heard of the San Antonio Spurs. Last Sunday night, this team of old-timers demolished the defending champion Miami Heat, and claimed their fifth NBA title in the last fifteen years.
Not many people have heard of the Ponoma-Pitzer Sagehens, a Division III collegiate basketball team who, in their 1979 season, had an abysmal record of 2 wins and 22 losses.
What do these two teams have in common? They were coached by the same man.
Gregg Charles Popovich, or “Pop” as his players refer to him, is a five-time NBA Champion, three-time Coach of the Year, and holds the record for most consecutive winning seasons by an NBA Head Coach (17). Thirty-five years ago though, Coach "Pop" was at the helm of the Division III Sagehens and could barely win a game.
Where we start is rarely where we end up.
In chasing our dreams and doing work that matters, the beginning is rarely smooth sailing. At the start, 99% of us will experience the harsh reality of a failed first novel, a bankrupt start-up, or a 2-22 rookie coaching season. These are the moments that separate the amateur from the professional.
The amateur gives up and cuts his story short.
The professional knows that her present failure is only the exposition.
Be a professional, and remember that a career is defined by much more than what you do in your rookie season.
Not many people have heard of the Ponoma-Pitzer Sagehens, a Division III collegiate basketball team who, in their 1979 season, had an abysmal record of 2 wins and 22 losses.
What do these two teams have in common? They were coached by the same man.
Gregg Charles Popovich, or “Pop” as his players refer to him, is a five-time NBA Champion, three-time Coach of the Year, and holds the record for most consecutive winning seasons by an NBA Head Coach (17). Thirty-five years ago though, Coach "Pop" was at the helm of the Division III Sagehens and could barely win a game.
Where we start is rarely where we end up.
In chasing our dreams and doing work that matters, the beginning is rarely smooth sailing. At the start, 99% of us will experience the harsh reality of a failed first novel, a bankrupt start-up, or a 2-22 rookie coaching season. These are the moments that separate the amateur from the professional.
The amateur gives up and cuts his story short.
The professional knows that her present failure is only the exposition.
Be a professional, and remember that a career is defined by much more than what you do in your rookie season.
