In 1961, Roger Maris and teammate Mickey Mantle received national attention as they chased the single season home run record of 60 set by Babe Ruth in 1927. Although Maris got off to a slow start hitting only one home run in April, he quickly made up ground hitting 11 home runs in May and 15 in June. 
Maris eventually tied Ruth on September 26th, hitting his 60th home run of the year. Then, on October 1, 1961, the final day of the season, Maris hit his 61st home run against the Boston Red Sox to set the new record. The Yankees won the game 1 to 0 on Maris’ home run and went on to win the World Series that year. Maris is a good example for all performers about the positive results achieved by always staying committed to developing your natural abilities. The following explains how Maris stayed dedicated, and how you can follow his example.By the time Maris was a teenager in Fargo, N.D., he was an all-around athlete, playing baseball, basketball, football and running track for Fargo High School. He was a skilled player but, when his football coach wouldn’t let him start any games, he realized professional scouts wouldn’t watch him. He decided it was time to look elsewhere for support and transferred to another school, Bishop Shanley.The following year Maris put his heart and soul into each game and led Bishop Shanley to victories including the trouncing of Fargo High. His consistent hard work had colleges and professional teams pursuing him. Eventually, Maris knew that he had to stay focused on his greatest talent, which was in baseball.Maris played baseball in Cleveland’s minor league system from 1953 to 1956 and worked at improving his statistics each season. He religiously worked out in the off-season. He asked coaches for batting tips and incorporated their advice into his swing. As a result of his hard work, he finally reached the majors in 1957 as Cleveland’s right fielder. In the middle of the 1958 season, he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics and then to the Yankees to bat in front of Mickey Mantle in the line-up. From a young age Maris spent years developing his natural abilities as an athlete and baseball player. He instinctively knew that he had a gift to which he needed to stay committed. Maris used his strong inner direction ability of “foresight” to envision the future in sports he wanted to create.As a performer in sports, performing arts, school or work, you also have many natural abilities that have helped you be successful. You may have stopped developing them, however, because you have been busy meeting other deadlines and commitments.Start today to refocus on developing your natural abilities and goals in your sport, art, school or work by answering the following questions: What would my family, friends or teammates say are my strongest talents as a person? What is one thing I should stop doing and one thing I should start doing today to further develop my natural talents? How can I fully use my talents to be more successful as an athlete, artist, student, or performer?
