Full Responsibility

Earlier this week, Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players and athletes of all time, announced his near retirement from the world of professional tennis.

I admire Rafa for his achievements, but mostly for who he is.

Here is my favourite Rafa story..

I was once told that he was playing badly in a training match, being frustrated with himself, pushing harder and harder, but not seeing anything change.

His uncle then walked up to him, took his racket, examined it closely, and told him it was broken.

Rafa was playing the entire time with a broken racket, not noticing, just being frustrated with himself.

He said afterwards he never thought for a moment it was something else than him and his game that needed to change.

Remarkable. No complaints.

This 100% personal responsibility for what is happening, especially when things are not going well is one of the things that made him such a successful tennis player.

What would be possible in your life and work if you took similar levels of responsibility for areas that are not going well?

And.., what could be an equivalent of your ‘broken racket’ and who could be your ‘uncle’ pointing it out to you when most needed?