Talent is universal but opportunity is not

India's most renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has scored in 90s, 17 times in ODIs and 10 times in Test cricket and holds the record for highest number of dismissals in the 90s (a total of 27 times) across all forms of international cricket.

Greatness is gauged by the temperament to hold and handle failures at the top. 

Sachin Tendulkar's success should be attributed to his ability in handling both success & failure during his 25 years of cricketing career.

These are essential life skills to manage a career which is learned tacitly beyond your skill & talent to perform the job. It is difficult to acquire expertise in handling failures while learning a craft. Your attitude towards life, career & personal development plays a vital role in developing the ability to handle failures.

Tendulkar is arguably the greatest player in the history for his performance & character. In the annals of the game, he is not regarded as the best but the greatest. Talent is innate, skill is what you hone and ability is what you persevere.

But temperament is what separates the great from the best.

In his autobiography ‘ Playing It My Way’, Tendulkar (playing at 194) reveals how hurt, he was at the Multan Test in 2004, when stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid declared the Indian innings before he could complete his double hundred. His ability to control his instincts were one of the most remarkable traits of Tendulkar's career. No coach or school could teach you such expertise at any level and it has to evolve within you. A style of learning, you acquire as you progress and perform in your career.

It is easy to succumb to such fragile situations and surrender your aspirations. You fail to question your character and forget the fact that, great men are always known for their character.

Every human being has to live their quota of failures in a lifetime. There's no escape to this cosmic law of nature. At the top of the hierarchy, nobody can take anything for granted. Your success is measured by your ability to handle good times and bad times.

Another fascinating facet of relentless success is the longevity of great players like Sachin Tendulkar, Roger Federar, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Llewtonn Hewitt etc. The greatest players always believed in long term and prepared for "endurance". Tendulkar's longevity is characterised by the number of games (not just the years) he played in both forms of cricket. His consistency in appearing physically & mentally fit for the matches testifies the role of longevity in his success.

Longevity for success, doesn't deserve rest

The competitive advantage in any competition belongs to a remarkable phenomenon called "mental stamina". The best of the lot believes in physical stamina which is bound to fizzle out beyond a point. However, the idea of being great originates from the source of 'mental stamina'. Always be on the lookout for building such capacity to stay strong and long.

The longevity story that captured the imagination of sporting world belongs to Dotsie Bausch, an American cyclist, advocate & speaker. She is a seven-time USA cycling National Champion, a two-time Pan American Champion and an Olympic silver Medalist. At the 2012 Olympic podium, she was the oldest athlete in history.

If you're having a golden run, then make the best out of it. Never say "NO" to opportunities because of past failures, fatigue, boredom or callousness. Go for opportunities like how you did the very first time in your career. 

As Andy Roddick rightly tweeted

Talent is universal but opportunity is not

Don't fall for the work-life balance myth, if you're in your early 20's.

This is the time to work hard and live your dreams. And most importantly understand, "Life is all about priorities". 

The margin of good times will come to an end at some point and by then, you should make use of the same to handle your life during the "not so" good phase. 

"Save enough at your prime to face the rest during your downfall"

Renjit Ravi Keshav