Reggie Bush, Jack Nicklaus and the possibility of failing

Los Angeles, Calif., a city where things are constantly abuzz in entertainment and sports. A city where a true freshman started at quarterback for USC, Manny Ramirez led the Dodgers to a victory and Reggie Bush responded to criticism of being a bust in the NFL – all within an hour. At the same time, Kate Beckinsale was on the red carpet touting her newest film while Britney Spears was performing at Staples Center. With the constant attention on entertainers and athletes throughout the city, observers tend to get a sense of how they have become so successful.

So how do athletes and celebrities handle the pressure of work in a calm and confident manner? It is because they have reached a point where they no longer have a fear of failure like average people do. Take a second and think about how often celebrities and athletes are faced with the possibilities of failing. Great hitters fail seven out of ten times. Actors and actresses face the constant possibility of not getting the next part or wowing producers in the next audition. Even the biggest movie stars fail in certain situations. We all have been trying to forget Adam Sandler’s Punch Drunk Love and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.

Athletes and celebrities aren’t afraid of failing and their confidence reflects their attitudes. In an interview with ESPN the Magazine, famed tennis instructor Brian De Villiers stated, “So many Americans are afraid of failing and so concerned with keeping up with the Joneses that they don’t want to put themselves out there and go for it.” However, performers have trained their minds to believe highly in their abilities that failing will never happen, even if they have failed several times in a row. Contrary to De Villiers comments, Americans are not inherently hard wired to have a fear of failure but most Americans have simply not trained their mind in the correct way when hit with stressful events.

A reporter once asked Jack Nicklaus how many times he had missed meaningful six-foot putts. Jack looked at the reporter with a confused look and said, “Never.” After the reporter chuckled, he posed the question again and got the same exact response from Nicklaus. Even though Nicklaus has obviously missed innumerable short putts, he is able to just think about the successes and that allows him to continue to perform at the highest level.

Every person has a natural confidence within them and many people have difficulty finding that inner confidence, especially during stressful situations. If people are able to think like an athlete or celebrity, in a way in which you aren’t worried about failing, confidence will grow and performance will improve. Plus, stress levels will go down when confidence is higher and performance is improved, all of which adding up to a higher quality of life.

Favre following in the footsteps of Jordan?

Every summer, sports fans are inevitably faced with two things: the boredom that comes with the dog days of baseball and the alarmingly constant updates on whether Brett Favre isreturning to the NFL. Drama has seemingly followed the future Hall of Famer each summer since he “retired” from the Green Bay Packers and the overwhelming feeling among fans is why? Why would a player with a legacy such as Favre’s risk the ire of loyal fans and risk his reputation by wanting to play another season? The reason is simple yet unclear to many casual sports fans who have never been in the same position as a professional athlete.

Professional athletes are simply wired in a different way than average people and when they no longer have the stress and pressure of performing, they need an outlet to release their energy. For many athletes such as Michael Jordan and Floyd Mayweather, that outlet is only found by returning to their sport. After devoting most of their lives to overcoming the fear and pressure of being a professional athlete, it is often difficult to adapt to their new lifestyle outside the lines.

In order to deal with the constant pressure of performing, athletes must learn to thrive under constant scrutiny from fans, media and the owners who are willing to give them millions of dollars. Working professionals may feel pressure but underperforming on one pitch in the workplace doesn’t often come with the threat of losing one’s job. No matter how much pressure people face from their bosses and their families, it pales in comparison to having to perform under pressure in order to survive in their profession, as athletes constantly have to do.

Athletes who remain retired have often found a way to channel their energy in order to fulfill the missing element of their lives that was filled by competition. Many athletes often go into broadcasting or become entrepreneurs to feel the pressure of performing under the gun, albeit at a much smaller level. Magic Johnson has used his post-athletic career to become an extremely successful businessman, broadcaster and executive, handling his responsibilities like he handled the showtime Lakers.

As the NFL season begins anew with Brett Favre taking the field wearing purple and gold, it is important to understand that while it may be annoying to fans, some athletes find it extremely difficult to cope with the transition out of competition. For Brett Favre, he can’t seem to turn the switch off quite yet. As for his legacy, it remains to be seen how these years are viewed by future generations. Does anyone remember that Michael Jordan was a Wizard?