You’ve heard it said that there are some people who appear to be wise beyond their years. We have some great recent examples of young people leading by their actions.
This means that their actions display traits such as diligence, focus, persistence, fortitude, courage, wisdom, integrity, or strength of character. They may not even use that many words, but when they do, their words match their actions. And people make note of them and marvel at their excellence.
Having lived a large portion of my adult life in Milwaukee, I couldn’t help but point to the wisdom and leadership of 26 year old Giannis Antetokounmpo [pr Antenna-Koom-Poe]. The Milwaukee Bucks had just run off four consecutive wins to become champions and Antetokounmpo was named MVP.
His post victory press comments are emblematic of somebody wise beyond his years. He was asked,
“You are 26 years old, who taught you about why it’s important to control your ego?”
He replied [ paraphrasing ] from my life experience:
- Focusing on the past, that’s ego. I’m so great I did this and that.
- Focusing on the future is pride talking about things that haven’t happened yet.
- Focusing on the present is humility without setting any expectations except enjoying the moment.
This is a skill that I have tried to perfect. It’s been working so far, so I’m not going to stop.
“I’ll never leave the team and the city of Milwaukee till we build the team to a championship level team” @Giannis_An34 Jul 16, 2014 [ Eight years later he made them champions ]
Don’t know about you but I am not remembering that many people at age 26 who had this kind of insight. Those who learned to lay aside ego and pride and try to master living in the present moment. No matter where we are on our life or career path, we could all benefit from listening to this young man.
Most recently, I think of MyKayla Skinner, the 24 year old alternate gymnast from Arizona who stepped in for teammate Simone Biles in the vault taking silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Five years earlier, she was named as an alternated at the previous games in Rio at the ripe old age of 19. Although she never got the chance to compete on the big stage, she had to exhibit the same diligence, focus, and persistence as if she did.
I cannot imagine placing my life on hold as a young person for two Olympic cycles, (plus covid), not knowing if the chance to perform would ever materialize. But there she was on the podium with the silver medal.
Kayla got married in 2019 and “is looking forward to having a life, a career as a sportscaster and maybe starting a family.” She was quoted in the press below following her silver medal performance:
“To make this comeback, to be kind of one in a million to make this happen and make the Olympics (after being) an alternate before, I think it’s so cool to show that age is just a number, and that anything is possible if you work hard and dream for it,” Skinner said. “I’m just so honored that I never gave up and kept pushing for my dreams to get here. For the future gymnasts out there, if their bodies are holding up and they really want it, I think they can do it.”
Another great example is Collin Morikawa.
Morikawa began his PGA Tour career making 22 consecutive cuts. This is a feat surpassed only by Tiger Woods who made 25. He has five PGA Tour wins including the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship, winning both on his first try.
At the ceremony for winning British open, the 24 year old Morikawa told the 23 year old top finishing amateur Matthias Schmid that he has a bright future. Mattias turn 24 in November. OK where I come from, the 24 year olds weren’t telling the 23 year olds about their bright futures. Can you relate?
Those who saw the British open final round and the ceremony for the champion golfer of the year couldn’t help but marvel at his composure on one of the biggest stages in golf. One of the golf observers commented that he might have the highest golf IQ since Tiger Woods.
Morikawa was also selected for the US Olympic gold team, where the gold medal was ultimately won by 27 year old American Xander Schauffele.
