Give yourself permission, or welcome to the awesome world of ordinary

In working recently with a schoolboy rugby side, I came across some interesting findings which actually got me thinking about human nature per se. How often do we give ourselves true permission to be brilliant? In a recent book, Tribes, by Seth Godin he talks about the world needing leaders and people who challenge the status quo, not just people who follow and do as always has been done. In another of his books, The Purple Cow (a favourite of Paul Treu), he talks about success coming from being remarkable, not ordinary, but remarkable - something or someone who causes people to talk by being different and exceptional.

So when we play/watch sport, do we ever think of doing the remarkable, do we think of challenging the norm, do we think of achieving things that are against what your ‘potential’, or perceived potential, should allow you to do. As the superb poem goes ,“ What is your deepest fear, our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure”. So often the inability to picture greatness or achieving above the norm hampers the ability to do so. What also hampers greatness is the comfort of being good, or good enough to not attract attention. Sometimes being an exceptional team/individual can bring with it unwanted pressure- ask Tiger Woods or any team at the top of the ICC cricket rankings (G Smith!). The Stormers for example had far more pressure on them recently against the Sharks, than say the Stormers of last year would have had at this stage. They have created that pressure by giving themselves permission to be excellent this year, but with that it has forced them out of any comfort zone.

So my question goes to all individuals and teams, as to whether they are willing to go beyond being good, and attempting to be great. Are teams ready to bracket themselves outside of the underdog category and become favourites? Are sportsmen and women happy to become someone who is expected to do well rather than someone who surprises with their success? These seem like easy questions, but actually I would love to know deep down, whether true permission has been given to take that step from good to excellent.