Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

Chapter 10. The Telescope

The first page featured a picture of a telescope. "What's with the telescope?" Martin asked.

"Look over there," Coach said pointing to the telescope by his window that faced toward the football field. "The telescope represents the big picture. It represents the greatness that the best strive for. I've found that the first and foremost trait of the best of the best is that They know what they truly want," he said as he directed Martin to turn the page of the playbook, which looked like this:

The Best Know What they Truly Want

"Walter Payton," Martin answered with a big smile on his face.

"Yes, Sweetness," coach responded as he paused and reflected for a moment. "They called him Sweetness because he ran with such style. What a football player. What a human being. We sure do miss him."

"He was one of the best," Martin said.

"Yes, he was, Martin, and that's what I'm talking about. For many who strive to be the best, there was a person before them who paved the way, who showed them that greatness was possible. Sometimes this person was a friend or mentor, and other cases it was a complete stranger who showed the world what being the best looked like.

"Now, for others who have become the best in their field of work, there was no role model for them. These people simply were given a God-inspired vision to pave the way and create something bold and new that had never been ...