In a class this term, I am using The Sports Gene by David Epstein as the text. It is an excellent book and quite insightful with regards the success in sports. As sports is a bit of a microcosm of the real world, it provides insight into success, in general.
Examining the role of the ever-growing list of “sports genes”, one might expect to learn that Per-Olof Åstrand was correct in saying the “to become an Olympic athlete, choose your parents wisely.” This is true, but there is more to success than mere genes.
Any success requires that 1) we have the right genes, 2) the right circumstances, and, most importantly, we put in the right amount of effort. A student in my class commented that “it sounds like we can blame our parents for everything.” That is one way to look at it, but that is not going to end in success.
Athletically, it is easy to see how we can owe our giftedness to our parents. Good genes alone, however, are not enough to become an elite athlete. The opportunity—that is, the right circumstances—need to be in place to make success possible. Consider where Michael Phelps would be had he never had access to a pool. Phelps has, perhaps, the perfect physique to excel at swimming. It is doubtful that he would be as successful at any other sport. And, of course, he has put countless hours in the pool to get where he is.
In life, we could very well have been born into the circumstances of our existence for a time such as this. I trust we all have a Purpose. It is no accident that we were born and raise where and when we were born. One can blame his or her circumstances on the parents, the siblings, the education (or lack thereof), the socioeconomics of the circumstances, race, gender, and/or anything else one might believe has hindered them, however, there is great power in the knowledge that all aspects of our experience and being come together to shape precisely who we are intended to become. Perhaps, we just have the wrong idea of who this is?
If you care to be successful, examine yourself. Consider the gifts you have, rather than the gifts you desire. Don’t bother with what makes others successful. You cannot compare, and this will only leave you frustrated. Consider what opportunities you have to be successful. Act according to your talents. If you consider yourself burdened by your circumstances, contemplate how these are, in fact, the very catalyst needed to propel you toward success. No excuses. Only gratitude and hard work bring lasting success and pleasure in life. In the argument of Nature or Nurture, it is both!
Be your best today; and be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!