This is article 8 in the SP100 list, highlighting elite athletes' and coaches' achievements, philosophies and methodologies. These articles highlight stories and careers that have potentially been missed or gone under the radar by the mainstream media.
John McEnroe is one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century. His name is synonymous with tennis. His name draws up images of his long curly hair packed into a red headband, which frames his bright red face as he screams and shouts at the poor official umpiring his court. But as well as his famous antics, he was a phenomenal tennis player. He is one of the game's all-time greats and is respected worldwide for his skill. However, while his skill on the court is well known, there is more to learn from this icon than just his talent with a racket.
Be multifaceted
When you hear the name John McEnroe you immediately envisage a tennis player. However, when you dig a little deeper, you could easily say John McEnroe, the art collector, guitarist, coach, TV host or even actor. Since retiring from competitive sport, he has worn many hats and experienced many roles.
Many athletes and high-performance individuals develop tunnel vision. They focus 100% of their attention on their specific goal, allowing them to achieve phenomenal success. However, once that goal is achieved or the individual reaches retirement, there is a huge hole in their life. The focus and drive disappears, leading to emptiness and loss. John is a great example of developing other strands to life, so the void can be filled when the key driver disappears.
While this concept is not unique to John, he is a great example of this idea. Many athletes start coaching badges or media work as their careers end. This creates a transition into the next stage of life. The important separator for John's career is the diversity of his experiences. While some are hobbies and some are paid positions, he has lived an action-packed, diverse life after finishing his tennis career. Many would be over the moon with any one of his accomplishments in his post-tennis career.
Wherever you are a professional athlete that retires at 35 or an entrepreneur/employee that retires at 65, your retirement is coming. A key part of your life that shapes a large part of your day will end. While your career is a massive part of your legacy, don't let it be the only thing that defines you.
Don't apologise for being yourself
Creating a fake persona has never been easier in a world heavily focused on social media. Showing the world the images and footage that have been filtered and hand-selected creates the impression of success and stability. However, these platforms can hide the truth. Showing the world your true self is a far healthier strategy.
John was just as famous for his meltdowns and tantrums as he was for his countless titles. The internet has countless clips of him screaming, shouting and arguing with officials. Whenever a highlight reel is produced of his career, a meltdown is thrown in for good measure.
While some view this as embarrassing or regrettable, it can be seen as the opposite. Seeing genuine struggle and passion while trying to succeed is a by-product. While pushing yourself to achieve anything difficult, it will not be a clean run to success. Let others see the many sides of your effort - the successes and the failures. This insight into your humanity makes others want you to succeed more.
When discussing high-performance success, John McEnroe is a great example. But he is also a great example of a normal human being. The raw passion and frustration can be related to by many. The hobbies and interests outside of his career shows he is a well-rounded person. Seeing the many hobbies and interests of his post-tennis career, as well as the anger and sadness during his time on the court, makes him relatable. When others can relate to you, they are far more likely to support you and push for you to succeed. In a world where any persona can be created, continue to be yourself.
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