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Every year in February the NFL Combine gives us a chase to witness some of the best athletes in the world push their physical limits under immense pressure.
A week-long showcase of measured potential and scrutinized performances, their every move (and words) is being dissected and analyzed.
But beyond the Next Gen Stats, a more profound question lingers: What defines the "real thing"?
In my opinion, the NFL Combine is a perfect microcosm of how we grapple with uncertainty and try to distill complex human potential into measurable data.
In this issue, I want to dive deeper into that dilemma and share my thoughts on perhaps the most valuable life lessons we can glean from the NFL Combine.
Performance Proxies
We crave validation, living in a day and age where performance proxies often overshadow genuine substance.
A performance proxy is an indirect measure used to estimate a desired outcome when directly measuring that outcome is difficult or impossible.
Consider this: how much of your energy is spent on appearing to be something, rather than actually becoming it?
I see more people than ever investing countless hours and resources into leveling up their proxy measures without getting any tangible closer to the desired outcome.
Are we practicing the game, or just preparing for our version of the combine? Are we focusing on the growth and development of core skills, or just some performance that gets us noticed?
The Combine, like many of life's "tests," can tempt us to focus on the performance rather than the process.
We train for the interview, not the job. We chase the promotion, not the mastery of our craft. We seek the recognition, not the inherent satisfaction of genuine growth.
This tension – between seeking validation and cultivating genuine growth – is a constant struggle.
We crave external affirmation, yet true fulfillment comes from within. We want to predict our future, to control the narrative, but life is inherently unpredictable.
There is no certain path even with the noblest of actions.
Unveiling The: “Real Thing”
The "real thing" isn't a single moment of triumph or a carefully curated facade. It's a continuous, evolving journey of self-discovery.
It's the daily commitment to honing your skills, upholding your priorities, and living aligned to your values.
Ask yourself: Are you building a career on genuine interest and expertise, or are you constructing a carefully crafted illusion? Are you leading with others in mind, or are you simply using the role to get what you want?
The challenge is to shift our focus from the performance to the process, from the validation to the value.
It's about recognizing that true leadership, like true athletic prowess, is built on a foundation of authentic growth.
It's about embracing the journey, flaws and all, and trusting that the "real thing" will emerge from genuine effort and unwavering commitment.
Don't live life as if you’re preparing for the NFL Combine, desperately anxious for the next performance to “prove” you’re the real thing.
Instead focus on improving the real thing, yourself, which will be a never-ending quest to playing your best game possible.
The "real thing" isn't a static achievement; it's a continuous journey of genuine expression.
