A Desperate Situation
The Baltimore Ravens trailed the Detroit Lions 17-16 with only :03 seconds remaining in the game. With the ball at their own 48-yard line, the Ravens sent out kicker Justin Tucker in a desperate attempt to win the game.
With a 90.6% success rate, Tucker is widely considered the greatest kicker to have ever played the game. However, he would be attempting a 66-yard field goal. No one had ever done this before. The league record was 64 yards and Tucker was consistently missing from 65 yards in practice.
The following is what happened next:
The next day Tucker appeared on The Dan Patrick Show to discuss the record-breaking kick. He provided four comments and lessons which provide a glimpse into what is required to perform at a record-breaking, elite level. Whether you lead a church, business, non-profit, or athletic organization, if you want to perform at a similar level, read the lessons below.
Think Execution Over Feelings
Tucker said, “The feelings in those moments don’t matter. What matters is executing.” What separates average performers from elite performers? It is the ability to execute under pressure. When the pressure is on, locker room speeches and hyping yourself up do not provide lasting results. Execution does.
To Do Something You’ve Never Done Before, You’re Going To Have To Do Things You’ve Never Done Before.
The wonderful website The33rdTeam.com reported here that Tucker adjusted his mechanics before making the kick. Tucker said, “When you’re that far away you’ve got to both trust your technique and also sacrifice some of it to just power the ball.” What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve things you’ve never achieved before?
Think Execution Over Consequences
When performing at a high level, you must trust your preparation and execution and leave the results to themselves. Tucker said, “It’s about thinking about the action and not the consequence.”
Celebrate Only After Accomplishment
A leader who doesn’t celebrate is a leader not worth following. However, you must know when the proper time to celebrate is. It’s not appropriate to party all the time. Tucker knows celebration should take place only after accomplishment. He said, “When it’s all said and done, then you can let your feelings take over and enjoy the moment and your teammates.”
Execution. Sacrifice. Proper Thinking. Accomplishment. Celebration. These five things, in that order, will help you potentially see record-breaking results as well.
You can see Tucker’s full interview below:
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