It’s interesting to watch semi-professional and professional sports live and compare the differences. A lot times your left wondering what precisely is the difference or the reason why some seemingly stars in semi-pro teams are not playing in professional team and vice versa for some players that don’t seem as competitive in the fully fledged professional arena.
Mental Composure & Maturity
A key aspect that talent scouts and coaches look for in potential athletes is their mentality. How does an athlete respond under different scenarios? A consummate professional appears cool under any type of pressure, and management like to see that in their up and comers. Composure and maturity can go hand in hand a lot of the time.
“It’s ultra competitive out there, and very few players make it at the top level. To succeed, you’ve got to have something special in your make-up that will help you rise above the rest. Roger Skyrme Scout with Fulham FC
Independent Proactivity
An athlete that doesn’t mess around when a coaches back is turned or does extra training in their own time without prior instruction, has the ability to act pro-actively independent to achieve their own goals. This builds trust and reliability across the board and promotes the elite level of dedicated participation required to be a truly professional athlete.
Professional athletes have the perspective that their job security and remuneration is directly related to their performance, which is entirely true.
Constant Improvement
A mature athlete has enough sense to realise that there’s always room for improvement across the array of skills and physicality required for them to successfully ply their trade. They have a desire for mastery of their craft and will do whatever it takes to produce the best possible results. This is an extremely desirable trait in an athlete, a desire for mastery, all the champions have this.
Coaches/Managers Perspective
You need to put yourselves in the shoes of the people making the pertinent decisions in the team, they’re looking for the right athletes for their system. What can you do for them? How can you prove they would be better off with your skills and ability.
Simple questions with hard answers:
- What can you do for them?
- How can you prove they would be better off with your skills and ability?
- What do you do to stand out from the crowd?
Don’t make it difficult for them to select you with an immature mental attitude.
