During a post game interview NBA superstar Kevin Garnett was asked what kept him going or what “fueled” him after so many years on being in the league. In his response Garnett remarked:

“I take a lot pride in my craft, I work really hard on my craft everyday.”

That’s respectable.

You don’t have to be a fan of Garnett to see the value in his statement. Some of the professional athletes that annoy us the most are the ones who are clearly talented but don’t take the time and effort to work on their craft, especially in the off-season. Most of these players plateau leaving fans saying, “they could be so much better!”

Who really wants the following statements said about them:

He’s a good leader but he could be so much better.

She’s a good artist but she could be so much better.

They’re good teachers but they could be so much better.

His speeches are good but they could be so much better.

The difference in most cases between the good ones and the great ones is simple. The good ones are often content with where they are. The great ones never settle and are always looking for ways to get better. The words of Jim Collins are quite appropriate here. “Good is the enemy of great,” he says.

Who do you admire the most for working on their craft?