If You Want Better Results, Try This

On July 27th, 1999 in the prime of his career and only 1,457 yards shy of the NFL’s all-time rushing record, Barry Sanders walked away from football.

As he would say years later:

"I don't feel like I've ever been one who's really pinpoint focused on the record, as much, as just the performance."

With the record in reach and no signs of decline, many around the NFL were shocked.

But this wasn't the first time Sanders had shown an indifference to records.

On Christmas Eve, 1989, late in the 4th quarter Sanders needed only 9 yards to capture the NFL season rushing title.

With a Detroit Lions victory seemingly at hand, Sanders, a rookie already notorious for humbly handing the ball back to the referee after a touchdown, declined his coach's offer to go back in and try for the record:

"I just felt there was no need to play anymore," Sanders told reporters later, "didn't mean much. Why go do it? We already had won the game."

Sanders would assemble a Hall of Fame career highlighted by: 15,269 rushing yards, 10 all-pro selections, 4 rushing titles, and multiple records.

"I never valued it (the career rushing yardage record) so much that I thought it was worth my dignity," said Sanders, "or Walter’s dignity to pursue it amid so much media and marketing attention.”

So after a decade of dominance that included Sanders becoming the first RB in NFL history to record 5 seasons of 1,500 yards rushing, he hung it up. By choosing, not to chase Walter Payton’s rushing record, Sanders left over $20 million in voided contract money, on the table, plus millions in endorsements.

His retirement was as simple as his humble work ethic:

"The reason I am retiring is simple: My desire to exit the game is greater than my desire to remain in it. I have searched my heart through and through and feel comfortable with this decision."

The Work is The Win

Actor Jeff Daniels said about the work of acting:

"There are a lot of actors who live between action and cut. I'm one of those guys. That's where it's at for me. That's the exciting part, that's the thing I love to do."

Daniels goes on:

"Action, you're on the ride, and then cut, you're done. Everything else...I'm not interested in."

Much like Sanders playing football, you find a common theme whenever you study anybody great at their craft: it's all about the work, not results.

Like Daniels speaks of acting and Sanders approach to his play on the field, the greats treat their craft with deep respect. No shortcuts. No cheating the process.

"You control the effort, not the results," says Ryan Holiday, "You control the work you put in, not how it's received."

I don't know if anyone wakes up and naturally says to themselves, "I just want to do (blank), but good or bad, I don't care."

But, if you want to give yourself a chance at creating great work or reaching new heights, in your work—it's critical to develop this mindset. To be indifferent to the records, just as Sanders was in his profession.

You don't have to dismiss results completely. You should never stop aiming for greatness. But, you should redefine how you approach your work. Place your energy, drive, and diligence into the process that (hopefully) will arrive at the results you desire.

Either way, the work is what it's about.

"So ultimately, you have to love doing it," Holiday says, "You have to get to a place where doing the work is the win and everything else is extra."

Stay Hungry & Humble

There's an old sports maxim: "Act like you've been there before."

Too many, it means, don't celebrate. Show more constraint. Don't allow the emotions to win.

But to someone with a craftsman mindset, it simply means: you did your job, and there's more to do.

Early in Sanders career, he became infamous for handing the ball to the referee after scoring a touchdown—something unheard of in that era or any since.

"I've never seen somebody be so good at something and be so humble," said rapper Eminem about watching Sanders, "I think, probably cause he knew, 'I don't have to say this, you can see.'"

To be great at something is difficult. Staying humble and hungry for the work is an even greater feat.

Author Steven Pressfield tells a story of finally finishing a novel after years of torture to complete it.

Upon telling his mentor, his mentor had a few words of encouragement.

"Good for you. Start the next one today."

Stay hungry for the work, not the results.