Arnold Schwarzenneger Broke a Window to Work out: Lessons on Hardwork.
Saturday, May 21, 2022,
Dear Koji,
Last Tuesday, your basketball team played a team from Denmark. Your team won, against a taller team. Your coach gave you more playing time, but you didn’t score.
I know you are frustrated.
Last week, when I was listening to a coach outside the gym, I heard a remarkable remark to his team. His team lost, but what he said after the loss resonated to me (and I’m hoping it will resonate with you too).
He said to the dejected players, “recognize where you are right now, and then work harder.” I would say that to you too, “recognize where your skill levels are, then work on the skills that you lack”
Being frustrated is part of the journey to be better. I always tell you the story of Michael Jordon, cut off from his basketball varsity team. I always tell you, imagine how that felt (you always say it hurts so much).
But what Jordan did after the rejection, the frustration matters. Let me repeat that, what he did after the rejection that mattered. Story goes that he locked up in his room for two weeks.
Understandable.
But he worked hard to improve his skills. He recognized where his skill level was compared to other players.
Remember Koji, I always asked you, “what happened to the basketball players who played when MJ was cut?”. Where are those kids now? We don’t know.
Jordan on the other hand became Michael Jordan. It’s what he did after the rejection. He worked hard. He worked hard after the failure.
Most kids, after the failure, quit.
This is what I am asking you today: recognize where you at and then work hard after the failure or the disappointing game.
This then leads me to Arnold who broke a window in order for him to work out. The story goes that it was Sunday, the gym was close, and he planned to workout. So he broke the window leading to the rest room and then access to the gym.
It was cold. There was no heat. The dumbbells were cold. But he work out. That’s cold dedication. And this is the work ethic I want you to copy. Do what ever you can to do your workout in basketball and in life.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy.
