The Best Ability: Availability

“Your best ability is your availability.”

I cannot remember where I initially heard this saying, but it has stuck with me ever since. By definition, ability is the possession of the means or skill to do something. Also defined as a talent, skill, or proficiency in a particular area.

There are many abilities including physical, intellectual, and social abilities. The diverse abilities and talents of individuals is what makes teams, groups, work organizations, etc. so great.

Today, I want to highlight an ability that is important and achievable for all members of a group or team, and that is AVAILABILITY. Availability is where accessibility meets consistency.

You might not be the most athletic person on your team or the smartest person in the group, but you can be consistent and available. In several polls for employees and athletes, one of the greatest qualities of leaders turned out to be availability and accessibility. It requires zero talent to be available and present for your group or organization, and it makes a significant impact.

I often use the illustration of two co-workers going for a job promotion. The two employees both have the same amount of years on the job, work well with other colleagues, and have similar education and training. One employee is always prompt and on time and goes above and beyond on the little things without being asked.

This effort of consistency and availability will likely land the employee the promotion over his colleague. It is essential to be a teammate or employee that can be counted on. Availability to your team and having the attitude that there is nothing too small is what builds great leaders. Just keep striving each day. Availability is the key to success

How does availability play a role in Strength and Conditioning?

Having a strong and physically ready body will keep you ready and available for competition. Proper strength and conditioning helps reduce the likelihood of in-season injuries. Lifting and movement training with sound general principles needs to be a priority for all athletes trying to maximize their availability. This will keep you in the game all season and competing at a high level.

“If you think lifting weights is dangerous, try being weak. Being weak is dangerous” — Bret Contreras

Lifting is not just for off-season and pre-season. Lifting in season is vital to keep increasing your bodies durability, range of motion, and overall strength. Strength training during season should not cause muscle fatigue or excessive soreness, and it is appropriate to reduce volume or repetitions during this time while increasing the intensity percentage. Strength training at this time helps to continue to build confidence and endurance all the way through the season. You do not want to be getting weaker late in the season when the competition is getting stronger.

Be a consistent and available teammate. Consistency is the mark of a champion.

Stay ready, and be AVAILABLE.

Your best ability is your availability.