7.10 Babe Didrikson Zaharias: Practice and Concentration

“The formula for success is simple: practice and concentration then more practice and more concentration.” - Babe Didrikson Zaharias

How strong is your concentration?

Babe Didrikson Zaharias redefined the boundaries of athletic possibility.

She excelled in virtually everything: track & field, basketball (All-American 1930–1932), baseball (she even pitched in Major League Spring Training), swimming, diving, billiards, bowling, and more.

She even helped co-found the Ladies Professional Golf Association, or LPGA.

Babe was named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year six times between 1932 and 1954, the “Female Athlete of the Half Century” in 1950, and the “greatest female athlete of the 20th century” by the Associated Press.

How? Babe said, Practice and concentration.

She said, “The formula for success is simple: practice and concentration then more practice and more concentration.” She also said, “Luck? Sure. But only after long practice and only with the ability to think under pressure.”

In a world full of distractions and shortcuts, her words still ring true. Practice is about doing the work — especially when no one is watching. But concentration? That’s about the quality of your focus. It’s about being able to block out noise, pressure, and fear and stay locked in on the task at hand.

Most people want to  win— but not everyone is willing to concentrate. Not everyone is willing to practice, over and over, when it’s hard, boring, or uncomfortable.

But that’s where greatness is born. And Babe knew it.

Question of the Day: What’s one area in your life where you need to practice with more focus and intention?