“You can put in the time and still suck!”
– Paul Ollinger, in his Medium post, titled “The Thing Malcolm Gladwell Forgot To Mention“
I’m a big Gladwell fan, and until last week, I’d never heard of Ollinger. I’m an Ollinger fan, too, now. And, he has a great point — it’s not just about putting in the time.
I’m an even bigger John Wooden fan. Wooden was arguably the greatest basketball coach of all time. He not only won ten National Championships in a twelve-year span, he also influenced young men in a manner that made them societal contributors, not just hoop-heads. His kids graduated. They learned. They went on to make a difference, in business, with their families, in civil rights matters, broadcasting — you name it.
Among about a bazillion brilliant things Wooden said is: “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”
Ollinger simplified the concept down to: “You can put in the time and still suck.”
Deciding on what we’ll put in the time — now that’s a pursuit worth pursuing.
Amy Boyce says
You might still suck, but does it allow you something else? Does putting in the time bring joy? Or another value?