Surround Yourself with Believers—The Jackie Robinson Story
What do I mean?
In our lives and in our careers we all have managers, coaches, and mentors. Our goal should be to surround ourselves with believers.
What are Believers?
Believers are managers, coaches, and mentors who recognize your talents, see your potential, and believe in what you will become. They help coach, manage, and mentor toward greatness, even when you might doubt.
Believers are critical to success.
Stay Away from Non Believers
Life is too short to hang around non believers. Non believers are those who never take time to discover your talents, understand your skills, or even care who you are. These are poor coaches and managers. Non believers are short sided and mostly think of themselves. Do your best to stay clear of these type of people. They will do you no good. And of course, you'll prove them wrong 10 times out of 10.
Get Inspired by the Jackie Robinson Story
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
Branch Rickey was a Believer
Branch Rickey believed in a young baseball player named Jackie Robinson.
It was 1943. There was a color barrier in baseball. Branch Rickey did not believe in color. He believed in talents and skills that would produce a winning result. That was his focus with Jackie Robinson. In 1943, Rickey got approval from the Dodgers Board of Directors to begin the search for "the right man".
Rickey recognized Jackie's baseball skills. He also recognized Jackie Robinson's greatest talent, the ability to not fight back even under intense moments of racism.
Branch Rickey Believed in Jackie Robinson
In the Jackie Robinson movie, 42, The True Story of an American Legend, there is a scene with Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson that exemplifies an interaction between a believer and his student.
Rickey knew that Jackie Robinson was "the right man", but wanted to make sure he could withstand the storm they were about to create.
During their first meeting, Rickey says, "I want a ball player with the guts not to fight back." Jackie Robinson responds to his statement with, "You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I'll give you the guts."
The Believer Effect
Branch Rickey helped Jackie Robinson believe in what he was about to do. Rickey saw the future. He believed in Jackie Robinson. He knew it was going to be tough, but believed Robinson would do it.
Rickey was right, right from the start, Robinson faced intense discrimination from players and fans. Robinson would not retaliate and on April 15, 1947 broke the baseball color barrier starting on first base with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Surround Yourself with Believers
Each of us are meant to do great things in this life. We need to use our talents to change the world, to make it better. We all can do this. Your first step will be to surround yourself with believers.