Remember when you were in elementary school and wanted to see who was the tallest classmate?

It was fun to compare our attributes as kids.  We did it without any rhyme or reason and not knowing what kind of implications such comparisons had on our individual development.  One of my good friends from elementary school, “Tron”, always used to flex his little biceps and claim that his muscles were bigger than everyone else’s.   Coincidentally, he turned out to be a great high school quarterback (minus that late game interception our senior year).  Somehow Tron noticed his own potential and cultivated it into a stellar athletic career.  How can we use that type of insight to help us to notice our inner potential and use it to our advantage?

First you must look at what makes you different.

Are you tall? Short? Thin? Stocky? Are you quick on your feet? Can you jump high?  These are basic attributes that any kid notices very early in their academic careers.  In my case, I was always the tallest or second tallest person in my class from second grade until I graduated.  As a kid, I had no clue on how my height would make me a great candidate for basketball.  Looking back, I feel like an older wiser person should have been able to see my potential and steer me into the proper directions to make that potential manifest.  This is the problem.

In rural and disadvantaged areas like the one I grew up in, adults rarely have the insight or resources to cultivate the athletic skills of their children.  There was no YMCA, no real recreation leagues, and frankly just a lack of encouraging people.  This had a huge negative impact on my athletic career.  The question is what can one do when there is no one around to encourage his/her potential?

Encourage Yourself.

Encouragement.  It is hard to find.  Especially when you dont know you need it.  When Michael Jordan was cut from his JV basketball team, who encouraged him to perservere? Michael may have his own answers, but undoubtedly, most of that drive came from within.  As an aspiring athlete, you must do the same.  Dont rely on your coaches.  Dont rely on your parents.  Dont rely on your fans.  Rely on yourself.

Use Today’s Resources.

Now is the time to take your athletic career into your hands.  There are numerous online resources at your disposal.  These resources will help you increase your knowledge of the game and hopefully spark a new love for learning your particular sport. 

Youtube has limitless videos of training drills, biographies, filmwork, and other sports related media.

A simple Google search can probably tell you anything about any sport ever invented.

All of the major professional sports have websites with historical stats, articles, and biographies.  Check them out also:

The more you learn about your sport, the better you will be and the more potential you will have to succeed.