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The Big Push Starts Today

Posted on January 10th in Blogging — 5 Comments so far. Got something to say?

I’m reading this book. It’s Jerry Kramer’s Green Bay Diaries, which follows the daily life of Jerry Kramer, the right guard of the dynasty era Green Bay Packers. Reading him talk about the schedules of training camp and the week to week issues of the left defensive end he’ll be matching up against is all interesting, but perhaps the most intriguing and relevant part of the book is the coaching of Vince Lombardi.

Objectively viewed as the best football head coach to this day (marked by the prize of the Super Bowl being the “Lombardi Trophy”), his methods of both physical and psychological torture combined with the polar opposite have Kramer wanting him killed and loving him all in the same week.

“Gentlemen, the big push starts today” is something you see a lot. Just when you thought you were giving him all that was humanly possible, it turns out it was about half of what you should have been contributing.

Lombardi only aspires to win. He’s the guy that penned every quote about winning you’ve ever heard.Before I get to the point I’m crawling to, here’s a few quotes to set the mood:

You show me a good looser, and I’ll show you a loser.

Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing-the result.

Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.

Lombardi never cared about what you wanted (or showed it, at least). You were on his team and you were going to do what he said, or you’d be cut faster than an emo kid’s wrists upon discovering good music.

There was just always a drive to achieve, and while he said perfection wasn’t attainable, he also said the pursuit of perfection is what commits excellence. In terms of football today, the currently 16-0 New England Patriots could claim to be perfect so far, but until they’re holding Lombardi’s trophy, they can’t make the claim. You could also they haven’t played perfect and that luck may have even played a part in some victories.

In terms of your own endeavors in life, it’s about a certain attitude that will let you reach your limitless potential. Causing your own success and striving to eliminate every bit of laziness, procrastination and wasted time. Sound impossible? It is, but remember that the pursuit of perfection leads to excellence

Kramer also goes on about his commitment to football, and at many points asks himself why he is even there. In his early thirties he would’ve been considered very old for a football player, and that still applies today to a certain extent, but then you have guys like Randy Moss who are still able to resurge in their thirties. In the end every time he forgets about it.

It’s a good times/bad times thing. One week after having not played his best against one of the best DE’s in the league, he was on edge for two weeks until they met again and redeemed him self, to everyone around him and in his own mind.

I highly recommend the book, if there’s any shred of football fan in you, or if you’re looking for a little inspiration in life.

P.S. If not inferred by the title (the original intention), I’m going to start posting regularly again. After the two week break it took me another week to get back on my feet mentally and especially physically. It’s good to be back writing and working, and back in shape.