The Truth About Success
Think about this for a minute:
The difference between success and failure, in anything, comes down to one simple word.
Choice.
You have the ability to choose the way your life is going to be.
Your situation, right now, is the sum of the choices you have made in the present moment.
And the choices you continue to make in the present moment directly dictate your level of success.
Because nothing exists but this moment. There is no ‘later’. No ‘future’. No ‘next season’. No ‘when I have more free time’. No ‘if I had better talent.’ No ‘if I had a bigger team’. No ‘if I had a bigger budget’.
Success is a choice.
The only difference between you and the coaches/teams/athletes/trainers you want to be like is simple:
They’re not a afraid to die on a treadmill.
Why not?
Because they made a *choice*. They decided who they wanted to be. What they wanted their life and their program to be like. And they made a choice to do it.
They didn’t make the choice in some undefined ‘later’. Or ‘tomorrow‘. Those things don’t exist. They never will. Ever. Because when 5:00pm tomorrow gets here, it won’t be 5:00pm tomorrow. It will be right now.
When I was a broke young coach and wanted Loren Seagrave’s (at the time) expensive Speed Dynamics Series, I could have said, “I don’t have enough money. Times are tough. I can get by on free information.”
Instead, I stopped ordering out, going to clubs and buying beer until I saved enough money to buy the videos.
I made a Choice.
I could have said, “I don’t have an exercise science degree, so I can never be a great coach”.
Instead, I study my ass off. Ask questions. Never stop learning. When I first started coaching, my athletes got real nasty, real fast. I was voted MA State Coach of the Year at 26. I’ve sold many thousands of programs to every US state and over 100 different countries.
I’m not any smarter than anyone else. I’m not particularly gifted or talented. And I sure wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
I simply made a *choice* to be successful. I didn’t listen to the haters (and there are many). I ignored the doubters (and there are many). I made no excuses for why I wasn’t smart enough or talented or connected enough to do what I wanted to do. I’m just willing to hustle harder than most other people. That’s the difference that makes the difference.
I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill.
And my athletes aren’t either. Like anything else, it takes practice to develop this mindset as our default. So, in my programs, I simply don’t allow kids to say:
“I can’t”. Sure you can. And you will as long as you hustle harder than the next guy (or girl).
“If I…” Not if. When. Saying ‘if’ just gives you an out. I don’t believe in outs. When you don’t give power to the possibility of not meeting the expectation, you will meet the expectation.
“I hope.” Don’t hope. Demand. ‘I hope’ means “I don’t really think I can do it”. I don’t accept that possibility.
So it’s not a part of our discussions. Not a part of our collective consciousness.
“My goal is….” I don’t believe in goals. I only believe in Expectations. So we don’t set goals. We only set expectations. Goals are for daydreamers and hippies. Expectations are for people who make things happen.
I don’t ever want to hear an athlete say:
“If I qualify for the state meet, I hope I run a PR because my goal is to make the final.”
What?? The athlete who talks like this A) won’t qualify for the state meet, B) won’t PR and C) won’t make the final. Because this wishy-washy language does not lead to success. Because the athlete is choosing not to be successful. And so the only possible outcome is… to not be successful. Instead, I expect the same athlete to say:
“When I get to the state meet, I will place Top 6”. Period.
My athletes succeed beyond their initial expectations because I demand that they demand excellence. From themselves. From their teammates. From their coaches. That is the energy I project at practice because your athletes will take on your personality.
Remember: Like begets Like.
Coaches without clearly defined expectations breed athletes without clearly defined expectations. Coaches who lack confidence in their knowledge breed athletes who lack confidence in their ability to execute.
Which type of athlete do you want to populate your team with? What type of standard do you set with your athletes? With your program? In your life?
Now, you might be asking, “What is this treadmill business you’re talking about?”
You should watch this entire video. And think about it. I watch it almost every single day. Because, if you’ll expand your current level of consciousness, you’ll realize just how powerful the message is. It’s a constant reminder of the importance of consistently making the *choice* to be successful.
To your success,
Latif Thomas
If you’re looking for speed, strength, power, flexibility and conditioning progressions, on video, for your 55-400m sprinters, Choose:
Complete Speed Training 2: How to Build Champion Sprinters
If you’re looking for workout planning, periodization and a better understanding of which workouts to do, when and why, Choose:
Complete Program Design for Sprinters
August 18th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I love your information and your emails but I don’t want to waste your time.If your just trying to sell me your program I really don’t have a 100 dollars to spare, since I was laid off.I have 3 kids and a wife and am just barely getting by. I have started your 400 meter of season program just to try it.I’m not a coach I just run for fun and to stay in shape.I like your emails and if you want to continue sending them great I’m sold and would have no problem buying your cds or referring you,just want you to understand my situation.Thanks Gary
August 18th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Latif,
I am a huge fan of Will Smith and have seen this video before. Everytime I see this its fires me up. His logic is so simple and true yet we both know very few people really get down to it and hustle. People have a distorted view of what hard work and sacrifice is. Success is not a difficult idea to think of its just who will execute.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
What time did the 4 x 1 run? What are your other school records?
August 18th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
My daughter has been using some of this language and one day happend her coach overheard her as she stated, “when I make it to the finals at State,” and would you believe…he corrected her and said, “you mean you ‘HOPE’ you make it to the finals. It’s very difficult and most freshman and sophomores aren’t able.”
Needless to say that is a former track coach.
Great lesson Latif!
August 18th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
This an awesome video, I love when talent cross my path, but I believe solely on coaching up an athlete. During tryouts this one kid standout, not because of their talent, but doing exercises, drills, and any workout this kid finish last. Then you think this kid want last to the end of the practice. A week go by their still there. Two weeks into training this kid is still going, working hard, and improving. You take a look round the team later in the season and that same kid is now one of key components to a relay or a good open athlete. It’s all because you took time to develop that athlete. Developing athlete’s is what earn a coach his pay check!
August 18th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
This post really spoke to me. Lately, I haven’t been as sure of myself when it comes to my entire business. Life has just been that challenging lately. I usually do everything you pointed out to do above. I am reading this post at the perfect time….currently I am restructuring my mind and business. Thanks for the taking the time to put out a quality post.
August 18th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
gary d roberts: I give away free information in order to help people with various parts of coaching and training. If I expected you to pay for everything I teach you, I wouldn’t make so much available for free so often. Will you get more out of athletes if you purchase, say, CST2? Of course. But in the meantime, soak up what you can!
August 18th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Sean: Here is a video of the devastation my relay team brought upon our state. Turn down the volume if swears offend you. I’ve worked in a couple different programs so the list is lengthy.
http://www.athletesacceleration.com/abuse-like-this-should-be-illegal-video/
August 18th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Visionary: That is unfortunate. Says a lot more about the belief system of the coach than anything else. Good to hear they are now out of the game!
michael: I’m humbled to have had a positive impact on your day!
August 18th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
This is beautifully presented with Will Smith spilling his guts out where his heart is at and how important it is to put all your emotions and every bit of your self honesty (if you have any)into your being/life and all elements of your survival and happiness. By passing on Fear of Failure” and the need to listen to others when it comes to your own life expectations. Don’t listen to anybody because in the long run of your life, “You die alone, anyway” and in the end nobody will define your life but you!!!
August 18th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
This was very inspirational. Honestly what you are saying is true
August 18th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I understand the theory and there is a great deal of truth to it. But you undersell talent. I’m sure you didn’t break all kinds of records without some talent and Will Smith didn’t simply outwork his competitors; he’s quite talented. Sure, coaching can bring the best out of talent and can create a more consistent program, but trust me, you can’t coach a kid to be naturally athletic or fast. You can’t coach a bow-legged, gimp to win track meets. If you catch my drift…
August 19th, 2010 at 12:35 am
It is a very POWERFUL place to live one’s live.
I thinkk you and Will said it all.
Thank you!
August 19th, 2010 at 7:10 am
I am a 13,and love running the 100 and the 200. I finished in the top 25 in this years aau national ( 100 ). My question is our club is starting, cross country training,and should I do this type of training? I hate running the 400.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:58 am
He said “I will not be out worked”. That said it all! Thanks Latif for your information. I love it! I have to repost this to my site. This is a message that needs to be heard.
August 19th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Thank you so much for this info/I had few experiences with some runners saying some of these things/I like your simple solution. Coaching high school track and cross country!!
August 19th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I wish I could get some information about training horses from someone like we cane from you about training human. Bud there is no one out there who gifts information about training speed horsese whoo gifs information abouth training speed horses.
August 19th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Latif, as always you are right on! I was told by my 110mHH who made the NY State Championship this year after his race (finished 9th) “I know what I need to work on and I’ll make the final next year.” As simple as that response was, it was better than him winning to me. It was take our coaches a long time to change the old way of “I hope” with our program. It’s crazy how a coach can impact a whole program good or bad.
This was a great post!
August 19th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Cool Food for Thought. It gives me motivation to get out there and get these kids firing.
August 19th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Your T&F articles are very motivating and full of great tips. Keep the writing coming. Coach Jim Fogarty
August 20th, 2010 at 7:09 am
I have been unable to get through to order my copy of ‘The Complete Speed Training Newsletter’ can you please help
August 20th, 2010 at 9:07 am
In the book, The Jim Ryan Story, coach Timmons told the young high school student to think of himself as a sub four minute miler. Ryan thought the coach was crazy, but eventually became the first high school athlete to run a sub four mile. The coach put the mind set and belief into Ryan before eventually getting the results. Years later, I ran track and XC for the same high school, East High of Wichita, Kansas. The stop watch which recorded his record breaking mile is encased in the school trophy area. Ryan came back to our school several times to give talks, he was always a class act, and very humble about his accomplishments. He never lifted up natural talent, but emphasized vision, dedication, hard work, and faith. This made his example applicable for athletes of all abilities in all areas of life.
August 25th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
You have pointed to certain different workouts that can be used for low intensity anaerobic training, such as a split 600. How does the split 600 work and what are athletes trying to understand and achieve by running a split 600?
August 27th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
real good stuff i run a training program in south carolina
June 10th, 2011 at 7:31 am
[...] The Truth About Success [...]
June 12th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Latiff, I’m not a track coach but as a Physical Therapist I have the opportunity to work with athletes who are runners. Three years ago a young lady with leg problems came to be treated. As the problem was fixed I asked her to show me her running form. She was fast! Her parents and coaches were grooming her for mile races but she had wonderful speed. Long story short I worked with her on form and core strength for 2+ years seeing great progress every year. Your articles on proper form and how to stategically run the 400 were really key to keeping my credibility and also helped her greatly. She had good coaching but no one was teaching her form or statagy.
2 days ago she won the Minnesota State AA 400m title with a time of 54.7. She has a DI scholarship for next year. Her potential is still vast because she is only beginning to understand how important form is to her success.
Thanks for all you put out there. So far I have only used the free stuff and its fantastic. You are amazing!
July 24th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
First, thank you for your continued pursuit of excellence for us non-elite college coaches. It is appreciated.
Question: having thoroughly and repeatedly read and watched your material (including CST2, Complete Jumps, and distance master class) … There is a question that I don’t believe I have seen addressed (or if you have, I apologize): talent/event evaluation. If I have a mass of athletes come out who say they want to be sprinters, what metric should be used to help determine who should be filtered to the 55-200 camp, who should go the 200-400-800 route and who should be gently guided to the distance coach? Ditto on spotting potential hurdle talent.