Max Lonsdale

I read something interesting on the internet this morning. An 18 year-old boy went up to the front door of one of the most famous people on the planet and asked him for a job. His meeting with the famous man was only successful on his fourth attempt. He is an aspiring footballer and the man he was meeting was none other than the manager of the (in)famous Manchester United Football Club, Sir Alex Ferguson. He describes how his well-rehearsed speech vanished into thin air when he came face to face with his potential employer. Eventually, he got an opportunity to train with the illustrious club for a month before unavoidable circumstances denied him a chance to join the team. Sir Alex did, however, arrange for the boy to be taken in by Doncaster football club where he will train once his ankle injury has healed.

Interesting how persistence and courage pays. it is even more interesting to note how persistence and courage should be backed up by competence. You see, no matter how impressed Sir Alex was with the boy’s guts and determination, he probably wouldn’t have given him another opportunity if he wasn’t good enough. What was initially a two-week trial turned into a month-long adventure, culminating in his playing alongside some of the teams other bright young prospects.

Before you go out with your elephant-sized courage and dogged determination, polish those skills. Whatever you are good at can always be improved by practice. there would be little sense in being given a big stage that you cannot perform in. prepare yourself well, for we attract what we prepare for….at least that’s what Erick Gatumu told me.