My stumbling - an insight into the Bucks superstar [Giannis]

This past week, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a Senior Exec for the Bucks who joined the organization in 2014 (during the ownership transition.) So, he has seen the rise or Giannis and his dominance in the NBA.

I asked him: "When did you know Giannis had the 'it' factor? What's a tangible example?"

The Bucks executive paused and thought for a moment and then responded: "Early on in his career… we had a game in Los Angeles and Giannis was catching a flight back to Milwaukee the next day at 5:30AM... Giannis scheduled a workout at 3:30am before the flight home."

Giannis clearly puts in the work. He puts in the effort.

This story of Giannis reminds me of a book I read a while back about the importance of good ol fashioned hard work…

Angela Duckworth, a world renowned psychologist, wrote a groundbreaking book called GRIT. She highlights the golden thread that weaves talent to achievement. Effort.

TALENT X EFFORT = SKILL

SKILL X EFFORT = ACHIEVEMENT

For me, this paradigm is very freeing to know that achievement is attained through effort. The willingness to "muscle through" can break the glass ceiling of what's "possible." It comes down to how hard are you willing to work. (i.e. How HUNGRY are you?)

It's not about a Wonderlic test. It's not about an SAT score. It's not about a GPA.

It's about effort.

The greats put in the work. The greats are always HUNGRY.

Onward,

Matt