Someone might have a germ of talent, but 90 percent of it is discipline and how you practice it, what you do with it. ... Instinct won't carry you through the entire journey. It's what you do in the moments between inspiration. — Cate Blanchett

Now that we're three weeks into the school year, students' have begun to reveal their default habits and behaviors. It's also around this time that I'll hear a parent, teacher, and/or coach describe an individual as "unmotivated." I'm currently taking a dive into motivation, reading David Yeager's newly released book 10 to 25. I'm also looking to utilize the Reiss Motivation Profile, which posits that everyone is motivated, it's just a matter of identifying what the motivation is. Stay tuned, because I'm already finding that there is much to learn and share about motivation.

My daughters say that I'm not easily impressed; they're not wrong. When I consider Gabby Thomas, however, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be impressed. Consider these highlights on her resume:

- Harvard degree in neurobiology

- Master’s in public health from the University of Texas

- Volunteer at a health clinic in Austin 

- 5x Olympic track medalist:

What particularly stands out is how thoughtful and intentional Thomas is. Encouraged by her mother to do what she loved, she sought a balance of challenge and enjoyment in both academics and athletics. She grew up competing in soccer, basketball, and gymnastics before turning to track. As a late bloomer in track, she was lightly recruited. Remembering her mom's insistence that school comes first, she attended Harvard - and excelled. Thomas emphasizes the importance of following one's own path, one where you can grow and thrive.

After three years of collegiate track, she turned pro. Success at the Tokyo games and world championships elevated expectations for Paris. As you'll hear in the video below, her process is exceptional. Through the utilization of self-talk and mental rehearsal, she built her confidence prior to the Paris games. Self-talk is only valid, however, if you've put in the work, and Thomas is an advocate of the uncomfortable. She recommends seeking challenging situations where other people are better than you. Thomas' preparation and work paid off in dominating fashion at Paris Olympics. 

While in school, I certainly would have described myself as a perfectionist. As I've grown older, I've tried to move away from that approach, knowing that perfection is impossible. When working with high-achieving students who are prone to perfectionism, I frequently encourage them to be "excellentists" instead of perfectionists. And yet, I still have this voice that continually says, "It could be better." As is often the case, the concept that I was pursuing wasn't articulated well in English. Instead, I've found that the Japanese word kodawari is most fitting.

Kodawari is the pursuit of perfection, with the knowledge that perfection cannot be attained. Uncompromising (in a positive sense), kodawari is embodied in precision and quality. Whereas perfectionism is often externally focused, kodawari is self-satisfaction in knowing that you did your best. It is attention to detail and a personal, professional pride of performance. In Japan, this translates to high levels of professionalism across a wide variety of occupations. The development of craft is coupled with a desire to transmit one's expertise to the next generation. Ironically, the internal focus can produce performance that outshines the competition.

You can view many mesmerizing examples of kodawari in action on this YouTube channel or in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. If you want to adopt this approach, consider your standards, and then seek to raise them incrementally. Evaluate your work with a meticulous eye, remembering that you may be able to fool others, but you can never fool yourself. Seek new knowledge and test new skills. Practice mindfulness and single-tasking. Pursue quality, not efficiency. Finally, remember that kodawari is a mindset, not a destination.

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