Learning from the Greats: JJ Watt

In honor of the first week of the NFL season, I wanted to share this video of a short interview with JJ Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans. Watt, who played college football at Wisconsin, has been a pro since 2011 and has won defensive player of the year three times (’12, ’14, ’15).
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In this video he answers the question, “How do you get better, when you’re already very good at what you do?” He hits so much truth in his answers. My highlights are below, but watch for yourself!

• “If you put in the time and you put in the effort…you truly can be great.” So true, and yet so easy to assume that great athletes are great because of their talent. Or a good doctor was just born with intelligence. Greatness does not discriminate, and if you are willing to put in time and effort to improve at something, there is opportunity for you.
• “Success isn’t owned, it’s leased, and rent is due everyday.” Great quote—offers a parallel for how to approach improvement and success. Another way to say this: “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” You cannot train hard for one month, and hope that you become or remain great. You don’t win a championship, and then just have the trophy handed to you again the next year. You have to develop the habit of working hard every single day for what you want. Every single day someone is coming behind you, and they will be willing to work harder than you.
• “I treat every single practice rep like a game.” The athletes that figure this out, stand out. They are special. Using every single rep to get better is extreme maturity for an athlete. Watt surely has this maturity, and it is reflected in his success in the NFL. (Secret: this is the fastest route to improvement).
• “Chase greatness” Do not hope for greatness. Do not gently walk towards greatness. Do not settle for average. CHASE greatness.

#getbetter