Opinion / Columnist
Gwizi The Left-Footed Player
21 Dec 2016 at 08:59hrs | Views
When I was at primary school i
played all the school's competitive matches. I played in all the
school's tournaments while other players who were more talented than me
watched from the stands. Many people in that community began to complain
about the coach's favouritism, not understanding why i was preferred to
play while some vastly talented guys sat on the bench.
Well, what these complaining guys didn't realise was that what made me to enjoy the
game time i was given was that i was a left footed player and the other
guys with greater talent were not! That was the great difference, a
game changer and my competitive advantage. A played as a left winger,
which was famously known as Number 11 back then, my task was to cross
the ball from the left hand side of the soccer field into the goal or to
the central striker.
There were only two left footed players in the whole school (myself included), the other one played as a left back defender. Whenever the coach told these other talented right footed players to just try playing in my position as well so that they could be my substitute in case i got injured, they complained about how hard it was to play on the left side when you are not left footed. They were so hesitant to even try, thus they had to sit on the bench as the positions in which they wanted to play in were occupied by other superior players.
There were only two left footed players in the whole school (myself included), the other one played as a left back defender. Whenever the coach told these other talented right footed players to just try playing in my position as well so that they could be my substitute in case i got injured, they complained about how hard it was to play on the left side when you are not left footed. They were so hesitant to even try, thus they had to sit on the bench as the positions in which they wanted to play in were occupied by other superior players.
Ok, lets
get right into it. Where are we going with this story? You see, Gwizi
had to play in all the team's tournaments not because he was one of the
most talented, but because he was left footed. I was not really the
best, but i was preferred ahead of the best because i was willing and
able to do what the best were not willing or were struggling to do
(playing with my left foot).
It is so sad that most people only
want to do what everyone else is doing. That is not the secret of
distinguishing yourself. Very few people realize that the secret of
playing in all tournaments is being unique, having a rare skill which is
in great demand. We fear blazing new trails, by so doing miss out on
being the only exceptional service provider in the market place.
You don't get ahead by copying what Jojo and John are excelling in, you
become in demand whenever you become the left footed player.
At
your workplace and in your business, identify the key areas which no one
is willing to do and become an expert there. Identify the areas which
your teammates are complaining about and be the only left footed player
available to get the job done there. You will be amazed and how far up
the ladder that will accelerate you. When you discover and polish what
makes you different, you eliminate your competitors. When you excel in
what no one wants to do, you become irreplaceable.
Mthokozisi Gwizi is an award winning inspirational author and speaker.
To
join thousands of professionals, pastors and counselors in discussions
of daily life challenges, marriage issues, career advice etc join one of
Gwizi's Advice Center groups by sending your NAME to the following
whataap group admins +263774881328 / +263778831137 / 263773440857
Source - online
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