5 Keys to Success from Sachin Tendulkar

"India's Cricket God" Sachin Tendulkar retired from cricket after playing for 24 years, amassing over 34,000 runs and breaking most conceivable batting records including 100 total centuries.  The Little Master, as he is affectionately nicknamed, is considered the most successful batsman by cricket fans, players and pundits of our times. What was the secret recipe behind his success? What can we learn from the great Sachin Tendulkar? In USA, Cal Ripken Jr. is nicknamed "The Iron Man" for having played baseball for 21 years straight. Would it be apt to call Tendulkar "The Super Man" for having played cricket for 24 years and becoming the role model and inspiration for millions of cricket fans worldwide? Tendulkar started playing cricket when he was just 16 years old.

What made the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar super successful? What are his 5 keys to success?

1. Have A Great Role Model
In his interview after the last match that he played in Mumbai, Tendulkar thanked his father. "The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and told me, 'Chase your dreams, but do not take short cuts. The path might be difficult, but don't give up'. He told me to be a nice human being, which I will try my best to always do. Every time I have done something special and showed my bat, it was for my father."

In order to be great yourself, you must have a great role model. For Tendulkar, the man who inspired him was his father. The advice given by his father is something we have all heard from many before him: "Chasing your dreams and never giving up." But the key difference here is that he also talked about not taking any short cuts. This message is quite easy to forget, as most people, at one time or the other, are more than willing to take the shortest ladder to success. Tendulkar showed strong determination and poise during his 24 years, played fearlessly against the world's fastest bowlers, and always showed and shared enthusiasm for the game.

Ask anyone in the game of cricket to name that one ambassador, The gentleman that everyone would love to regard, and the name that immediately rises to the top is that of Sachin Tendulkar. He is possibly the nicest cricket player around, and a kind human being that his teammates, his adversaries, and fans would openly acknowledge. He is the good man who won everyone over with this good heart and nature. He practiced what he symbolized, what he learnt from his father! 

2. Learn the Power of Prayer
Tendulkar spoke fondly of his mother. "I don't know how she dealt with a naughty child like me... She started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform."

What is the one lasting image of Tendulkar that we will always remember as he walks out to the ground to play? He always looks up to the sky and quickly takes a bow (and does a silent prayer). His mother taught him early on the secret power of prayer, which made him ever graceful and humble throughout his career. Humility became second nature to this great cricketer in all walks of life, not just cricket. The power of prayer also gave him tremendous internal strength - when you see Tendulkar and his 5 feet 5 inch body, you can't help but think how small and thin this boy was when he started out, and not much changed in his physique even after he became a man. These external physical traits never handicapped this great batsman; he carried the heaviest bat around, and punished the fastest bowlers with aplomb. Only a prayer can give a man this advantage, this asset that makes one perform at the highest level. Some of his best cricket came after he stepped down as the captain of India's team. 

3. Have a Great Mentor
There was a special word of thanks for his brother, Ajit. "We have lived this dream together. He sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Achrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed."

A great mentor can help guide you to success, through the ups and downs of life, while keeping your goals and sense of purpose intact. Tendulkar's brother served as this great mentor for him, from the ripe young age of 11. His brother not only introduced him to a great coach, but also stayed with him and guided him to further success (especially during the youthful years when a young man would have been tempted by so many distractions). In Tendulkar's words, his brother "sacrificed" his career for his cricket. It's quite rare to find such great mentors. One must seek out mentors who can help us at every stage of our career and life. 

4. Have a Great Partner
He smiled as he spoke of how "the most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali." The crowd responded by cheering and indulging in some good-natured whistling. Then he spoke emotionally of how Anjali sacrificed her career as a doctor so that she could take the responsibility of the family. "Without that, I don't think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress... You are the best partnership I've had in my life."

Behind every successful man, there is a strong, wise and hardworking woman. Tendulkar found a great partner in his wife Anjali. She became the rock of the family and kept their family together, as he went out to play all over the world, and play well without any stress. His life partner took away all his worries about his family, his parents, his kids, their education, their health, his home and all family obligations. The job of a great wife is often under-noticed and under appreciated. It takes a greater man to acknowledge the value of a great life partner and ensuring family success.

5. Have a Great Coach 
The boyish streak in him surfaced as he spoke of his delight that his coach, Ramakant Achrekar, had finally come to watch him play in a stadium. "In the last 29 years, Sir has never ever said 'well played' to me because he thought I would get complacent and stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck now and say 'well done' on my career, because there are no more matches, sir, in my life."

Tendulkar's coach made sure that the Little Master would never become complacent and always keep on working hard. This reminds us of the Energizer Bunny... You Keep Going and Going. Another thing to consider is knowing the difference between a coach and a mentor. A coach focuses on the tasks at hand, is driven by short term goals and performance, and has direct involvement at all times. A mentor focuses instead on the relationships, driven by longer term development from within, and has indirect involvement. Tendulkar has indeed been lucky to have a great coach through his storied career.

Here was my post on oGoing upon Tendulkar's retirement:

24 years. Over 34,000 runs. Greatest Batsman of all time! You made Cricket exciting! We will miss you Sachin. @Sachin_rt #ThankyouSachin

Connect with me on oGoing, nation's leading small business social and business networking platform, here

Reference: Times of India

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