My last entry about being a great competitor really got me thinking on how true it is that you have to love what you do to be a competitor.  I have read so many great articles on great athletes & coaches and when I think back, all of them loved what they did.  None of them considered all of their hours of training, watching film or preparing a game plan work at all.  I would say that this goes way beyond sports.  I challenge you to find a business professional at the top of his or her field that doesn't enjoy what they do. 

Unless you coach at the college or professional level, you probably have another career.  Take sales for example.  Whether you sell insurance, real estate, or televisions, to be the best starts with enjoying what you do and being enthusiastic. You have to be prepared, starting with how you present yourself to practicing your message.  Most importantly, you have to enjoy the practicing part.

Here are some comments of some very successful coaches, athletes and other successful people on their love of what they do.

Enjoy.

Babe Ruth
Former Major League Outfielder
The most important thing a young athelete must do is pick the right sport.  Not one that they just like a little bit but one they love.  Because, if they don't really love their sport, they won't work as hard as they should.  Me?  I loved to hit.

 Walter Cottinham
Canadian Businessman/Manufacturer
Merit begets confidence; confidence begets enthusiasm; enthusiasm conquers the world.

Pancho Gonzalez
Former Professional Tennis Player
To me, there is a cycle in sports; "The more they enjoy it, the more they practice; the more they practice, the more they improve; therefore, they enjoy it more."

Papyrus
Old Egyptian Historical Papers
If you can't get enthusiastic about your work, it's time to get alarmed-something is wrong.  Compete with yourself.  Set your teeth and dive into the job of breaking your own record.  No one keeps his enthusiasm automatically.  enthusiasm must be nourished with new actions, new aspirations, new efforts, new vision.  It is one's own fault if his enthusiasm is gone; he has failed to feed it.  If you want to turn those hours into minutes, renew your enthusiasm.