Are You Afraid to Suffer for Success?

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."

--Roger Bannister, first man to run a mile under 4 minutes.

Is your performance less that what you expect or desire? Are you under-performing because you avoid pain? Are you unsure that the pain of preparation, discipline, and practice will be worth it? Is your lack of focus a lack of commitment and need for a guaranteed outcome?

Peak performers in every field of endeavor understand the value of sacrifice and pain. Success, though not guaranteed, follows those who prepare.

Make sure that you are in a position to succeed. Push yourself to practice and prepare. Success may follow.

For more, click on The Handbook of Peak Performance.

Tyler Hansbrough, University of North Carolina: Fulfilling a Championship Dream

"Nothing beats this feeling right here. This is the best way to go out. I couldn't picture it any other way."

--Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina All-American, after he and his Tar Heels teammates soundly beat the Michigan State Spartans, 89-72, in the NCAA championship game. The final score was the largest title-game margin in 17 years.

"This is the culmination of a dream he's had since he was old enough to know what a basketball is. This is something he's had in his mind since he was a little boy, to be a national champion. All the individual awards are nice, but this is a team sport. It's always meant more for him to win as a team."

--Gene Hansbrough, Tyler Hansbrough's father, discussing a championship mindset.

Hansbrough turned down an opportunity for NBA money and glory last year for a shot at leading North Carolina to the NCAA basketball title.

In his last college game, Hansbrough had a typically solid game with 18 points and seven rebounds. He is one of the most successful and decorated college basketball players in history. He is a three-time consensus All-American. He is also the fourth all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament play with 325 points, the Atlantic Coast Conference all-time leading scorer and the first player in conference history to lead his team in scoring and rebounding in each of his four years.

Watch the ESPN.com highlights of the game below.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo: Master of the Game Plan

"We're confident he's going to come out with a game plan and have something ready for us. That's why he's coach Izzo, and why he's a Hall of Famer one day. With one preparation day, the things he does are amazing."

--Travis Walton, Michigan State player, describing the Spartans' head coach, Tom Izzo, and his emphasis on the importance of preparing a solid game plan.

For more on Tom Izzo's preparation, click on King of the Quick Turnaround by Pat Forde at ESPN.com.

Michael Jordan, University of North Carolina Tar Heel Legend, Makes Hall of Fame

Watch the ESPN video above to hear about Jordan's legacy as described by current players.

Michael Jordan was elected to the Class of 2009 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with David Robinson, John Stockton, Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer.

The announcement was made today in Detroit, site of the men's Final Four. Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jordan's Hall of Fame selection was no surprise after he retired as perhaps the greatest player in basketball history.

For more about Michael Jordan and Peak Performance, click on The Handbook of Peak Performance.