Mar 18, 20184 min read

The Five People Who Determine Your Success

Updated: Jan 14, 2019

Think about the five people you spent the most time with in 2018 and answer this simple question: ✔Did they make you better? ✔If they didn’t, who specifically makes you better?

basketball players positions describing the five people who determine your success — basketball positions

"There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality." - Anthony Robbins

Happy New Year!

If you accomplished anything of significance in 2018, remember you DID NOT do it alone!

Think about the five people you spent the most time with and answer this blindingly simple yet imperative question:

Did they make you better?

If they didn’t, the question then becomes:

Who does make you better?

Below is how you identify your Top Five — or as I have often called them, your ‘Allies of Glory’.

These people have a unique set of skills and expertise to:

✔#Encourage you;

✔#Inspire you;

✔#Empower you;

✔#Challenge you; and

✔#Push you to be the absolute best version of yourself.

The best way of picturing this is by looking at the five positions normally employed by organized basketball teams: the point guard (PG), the shooting guard (SG), the small forward (SF), the power forward (PF), and the center (C).

Here are the details of these key positions and their designated roles:

1. Point Guard - The Facilitator

Typically, the point guard is the #leader of the team when on the court. He is the floor general amd an extension of the coach on the floor.

They see the big picture and support you in managing the flow of information (the ball) to achieve your objectives (a pass/dunk/layup/basket).

They’re good at knowing when you can speed things up (when losing) or slow things down (when exhausted/winning). In short, they can see things that you can’t.

With a point guard, you can always get better at your decision-making and limiting your mistakes. - Stephen Curry -

2. Shooting Guard -The Playmaker

The playmaker is the Molotov Cocktail. They light the scoreboard up. Potentially the shortest player on the team, he is the team’s best outside #shooter.

A good Shooting Guard will be a threat to his opponent as he’s able to score from anywhere on the court. They are in the midst of making great things happen in their life and when you need a jolt of creativity, business brainstorming or a push, they are your person.

They move fast and don’t have much patience for indecision. They remind you that if you miss a shot, just keep shooting.

7 habits of successful shooting guards: Know where you are best, Get good at the opposite, Fast food theory, Master the mid-range, Learn how to read space, Learn to score without dribbling, Simplify your shot

3. Small Forward -The Encourager

The role player is one of the most underestimated players on a team. They #encourgae you, which many don’t see since they don’t regularly show up in the post-game statistics.

But when they’re around, you always seem to be at your best. During tough spells they support you with perspective and their never wavering commitment.

“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.” -Unknown

4. Power Forward -The Bruiser

As much as you love your power forward, you may equally hate them. Their genius is holding you #accountable to what you said you were going to do. If you tell them you’re writing a book, they’ll ask questions like, “When will it be finished?”

They are metric-based and measure success by the progress you do or don’t make.

Power Forwards are usually the second tallest in the team and usually speed up the play. They are often the most versatile players, being able to shoot and score from midrange. In short, they help you envision your long-term goals. Defensively, they give you the strength to guard bigger opponents (problems) close to the basket.

5. Center -The Rock

This is the #veteran. The centre is usually the team’s tallest and strongest player and is positioned under the basket. When all hell is breaking loose, they help you remember what’s most important: scoring through offensive rebounds and blocking defenders to open other players up for driving to the basket.

The rock is that person who makes sure you don’t mistake the forest for the trees. They know that goals are great but sometimes you just lose sight of why you are doing whatever you are doing in the first place. You need them to keep you grounded and supported. This person is also domineering and rarely lets you have your way.

You

should be aware that spending time with top performers isn’t always easy. Why? Because:

👌They’re going to push your buttons;

👌They’re not going to accept excuses;

👌They’re going to make you do what you say; and

👌They’re going to get you outside of your comfort zone.

The good news is that this positive friction is where growth, development and breakthroughs happen.

But always remember....

Your starting five aren’t always going to be your best friends. You may not even talk daily. But when it’s time to play ball, they will bring out the best in you every time.

And sure, there will be talented players on the bench, who come in from time to time. But your starting five play a key role in determining your success or lack thereof.

Don’t be afraid to work with the best. Surround yourself with greatness.