TOP GUN!
So, what do you get for being The Best? Your name on a plaque. That's what you get for being the best fighter pilot, in command of a $40million machine, trusted by 350,000,000 Americans to keep us safe.
Cool.
Okay, I'm exaggerating, you know you get more than that... When you are The Best, you get stuff like respect, your choice of assignment, the ability for advancement in your career, access to cooler stuff, and even if you are like Tom Cruise and stand only slightly over 5 feet tall -- if you are The Best, you get the hot chicks.
So, there is a reason to be the best. But, does being "The Best" mean you are the best scorer, or does being "The Best" require something more? After watching the LeBron James fiasco last summer and seeing JaMarcus Russell turn into the biggest bust, "evah," I think being "The Best" takes something more. Let's explore...
Foundations
If we want to get to Bestville, we have to start by laying a proper foundation. A good foundation helps us understand information and gives us a platform from which we might advance. At this stage, we have to learn how to think, and learn how to move.
At this cognitive level, we process information, apply the result of that process and develop preferences. Through the application of proper foundations (taught to us by good teachers and coaches!), we see improvement, and we start to learn.
Whew...Finished. Tough WOD, thanks!
Easy there, Trigger -- the proper application of foundational principles isn't going to get your name on any plaque (well, maybe if you play soccer, but that's a different story). You'll have to push deeper, farther, faster if you want Top Gun.
Deeper, Farther, Faster!!!
Once the foundation is in place, we are capable of moving on to higher order thinking, or metacognitive skills. This is where we start thinking about thinking. We learn to evaluate ourselves, the landscape ahead, and how to best approach it. We problem solve at this stage, and through awareness, we make some critical gains.
With great metacognitive ability layered on top of a solid foundation, we achieve the potential to become the best scorer. But don't be complacent -- even though we may have developed the capacity for excellence, if competition exists, we may not be "The Best."
Wait, did you just say what I thought you said? Did you just say, "But...I'm the best scorer! How can I be beaten?" Ask Kobe.
Let's recall how Maverick and Ice Man became The Best (or, at least "their best"). Maverick and Ice Man were excellent pilots when they arrived at school, but they weren't The Best -- Hell, Jester got Mav below the Hard Deck three minutes into the first hop!
To be the best, Maverick and Ice Man had to tap into and develop their non-cognitive skills. Things like the effective and efficient use of interpersonal skills, ethics/morals, as well as elan, perseverance, self-discipline and consistency, etc. all come into play here.
Non-cognitive skills are tough to measure (and tough to teach), because they are sort of like hugs (note to Fio: No, sporting a "Free Hugs" sign won't make you The Best). Hugs are great, and they make people feel good, but admit it, some people seem to be better huggers -- they are either more in touch with you, or more in touch with themselves, or both, or "something."
It really comes down to this: If you want to be The Best, you have to have some "human-ness." It turned out that Mav and Ice were better when they realized they needed each other. When they acknowledged their individual limitations and how relying someone else actually provided an opportunity to enhance their abilities, they became The Best.
Where I See The Best
We see people become The Best - or let's say "their" best - in lots of settings, but most frequently and most measurably, I get to see it at my CrossFit classes. In the six months I've been coaching, I've seen individuals achieve individual success, I've seen groups of individuals become a class, and I've seen classmates become friends.
As classmates (and friends), I've seen people who have finished their workout not only cheer for their classmates, but also jump back in and do the workout (again!) with those classmates to give their (less advanced) classmates some extra motivation to finish. When those who are behind see a classmate get back into the workout (despite being dead tired) just to help them, the people who were lagging get inspired -- and they often finish several minutes faster than if they were working alone.
This push/pull community helps both the advanced and beginning student. First, the advanced student gets to do more work (further developing their true score I talked about last time) and second, the beginning student layers their foundations, sees first-hand application of those foundations, and gets some touchy-feely inspiration to be better. The bottom line is that just like Mav and Ice Man, some "human-ness" made both better.
So, is it the teachers, the students or the school?
Yes -- all of them, and then some!
People often talk about "the community" of CrossFit, and we definitely have it at CrossFit Cedar Park. We have exceptional coaches and we regularly send athletes to the CrossFit Games, but in my opinion, we do more for the "everyday athlete" who enjoys the competition that the sport invites, as well as the opportunity to really achieve their goals while being part of something bigger than themselves. The sense of connection through community is non-cognitive, and its power leads to massive gains and success. In short, our "community" is what makes individuals Their Best.
Viper knew what being The Best meant the first day of Top Gun School -- but it took Mav and Ice Man the entire movie (and a lot of heartache) to learn it...
Goose: [as Maverick is looking around the room] What are you doing?
Maverick: Just wondering who's the best.
Maverick: Just wondering who's the best.
Viper: In case some of you are wondering who the best is, they're up here on this plaque on the wall. The best driver and his RIO from each class has his name on it, and they have the option to come back here to be Top Gun instructors.[turns to Maverick]
Viper: You think your name's gonna be on that plaque?
Maverick: Yes, sir.
Viper: That's pretty arrogant, considering the company you're in.
Maverick: [pauses] Yes, sir.
Viper: [smiles] I like that in a pilot. Just remember, when it's over out there, we're all on the same team.
If you are selecting a school (or a CrossFit) be diligent about your selection process. Be sure the curriculum offers you the opportunity to establish and properly develop a solid foundation. Be sure that as your skills and awareness advance, you will be afforded the opportunity to push yourself and continue to advance towards your goals (whether they be to get into a good college or jump tires that are stacked 52" high).
But most importantly, talk to the person who will be your teacher (or coach!) before you start school and make sure you understand each other's goals, styles, etc. See if you can sit in on some classes and visit with other students. See what their community is about! See if you are someone who holds values similar to the people you'll be sharing time and knowledge (or sweat!) with. If you have a match, go for it.
Don't be a number.
Be "The Best."
P.S. - I'm developing an idea called "The Hero Course" with Fio and Dave that I feel captures the message of today's blog. It will run from Memorial Day weekend through July 4th weekend. Stay tuned for what I'm certain will be an amazing CrossFit experience (both from a community and individual standpoint) for everyone who participates... Lots of work, LOTS of reward.
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Okay, again, I was a little thick. But, if nothing else, remember there are two "O's" in "Goose..."
Peace, health and happiness, y'all.
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The author of this blog is a proud parent, devoted, happily married husband, early morning CrossFit Coach at CrossFit Cedar Park, recently certified to teach 4th-8th grade and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. He also loves to cook (especially Cajun food), work in his garden, watch LSU and the Saints play football, and he has a law degree. If your school could use an excellent teacher with some real world experience and amazing credentials, please let him know!
