Fundamental to success
April 17, 1998
Ever notice how all truly great performers have fun doing what they do? And how those who take themselves and their occupations too seriously never acquire true greatness?
These thoughts came to me a couple of weeks ago while at an Indian classical music concert. A performer by the name of Shiv Kumar Sharma, who was supposed to be aloof and business-like, was playing on the hammer-dulcimer, along with his son Rahul and drummer Shafat Ahmed Khan.
Expecting a cold, technically virtuous, but non-inspiring performance, I went and had an absolutely terrific time. The performers, as well as the audience, had a blast.
It’s generally the same on the playing fields. Great performers have a lot of fun, while those who think of it as a business don’t, and generally those performers are not as well liked.
Examples of people (and teams) who have fun: Michael Jordan, the ISU women’s basketball team, the sweet sixteen Cyclone men’s team, Brett Favre, Valparaiso, any Laker team and Mark McGwire.
Examples of people (and teams) who don’t have fun: Alonzo Mourning, Pat Riley, any Pat Riley-coached team besides the Lakers, Karl Malone and the Jazz, the U.S. and Canadian National Hockey teams and George Steinbrenner.
The most interesting example is probably Pat Riley.
As the coach of the Lakers for several years, he was very successful, winning many championships. But that was despite, not because of, his “basketball is a business” attitude. Those teams were tremendously talented, and their leader in spirit was the always-smiling Magic Johnson. They won, and they had fun.
When Riley went to the New York Knicks, his attitude took them to the finals, but could not push them over the top. Ditto with the Miami Heat, and their always-sour star Alonzo Mourning. ‘Zo has always taken the game very seriously — too seriously. After all, it is just a game. Dennis Rodman gets inside Mourning’s head because he thinks Rodman is an affront to the game.
The Cyclone women’s team is another great example. It was hard for them to have fun a few years ago, because they weren’t winning. This season, in every game, you saw Stacy Frese pumping up the crowd or Janel Grimm exulting after a great play.
The Cyclone men’s team of two years ago is another great example. Kelvin Cato would be thrilled after swatting shots or throwing down an alley-oop pass from Jacy Holloway.
The intense Shawn Bankhead would enjoy every minute on the floor, whether hounding the other team’s best player or draining a 15-foot jumper.
Of course, it is easier to have fun when you are winning, but conversely, it is easier to win when you are having fun.
It’s true in other walks of life as well, though probably not to the same degree. Those who are successful socially are those who can have fun. The ones who succeed in life are the ones who enjoy what they do.
It’s especially true in entertainment fields, such as music, sports or any other of the performing arts. If you take yourself too seriously, you won’t get anywhere.
And though I may not be a great performer, I certainly enjoy what I do! And make sure that you enjoy what you do, especially this weekend. Happy Veishea everyone!
Jayadev Athreya is a junior in mathematics and computer science from Ames.