Choose Progress Over Perfection | Tony Hawk on Impact Theory

The video is an interview with Tony Hawk, discussing his career as a skateboarder and the importance of choosing progress over perfection.

The video is an interview with Tony Hawk, widely considered the greatest skateboarder of all time. Hawk discusses his love of progression and how he always wanted to keep learning new tricks, rather than focusing on winning competitions or being number one. He also talks about the challenges he faced in the early days of skateboarding, when the sport was often disrespected and he was routinely mocked and picked on. Despite these challenges, Hawk persevered and eventually became one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet, thanks to his incredible work ethic and commitment to his craft. Throughout the interview, Hawk emphasizes the importance of choosing progress over perfection and never giving up on your dreams, no matter how difficult the road may be.

• Tony Hawk's motivation was always to keep getting better at skateboarding.
• He didn't care about standings or perception of his style.
• Many athletes lose motivation after reaching a certain apex, but Tony Hawk's motivation was to keep progressing.
• He started skating at nine, turned pro at 14, and by age 25 had competed in 103 Pro contests, winning 73 of them.
• Skateboarding was a fringe sport that saw him routinely mocked and picked on, but he persevered.
• The first time Tony Hawk got hurt, he got a concussion and knocked out his teeth.
• Tony Hawk's advice is to choose progress over perfection.
• Tony Hawk's dad was a big support in his skateboarding career.
• Tony Hawk struggled with fear and pain when watching his son, Riley, skate for the first time.
• Tony Hawk's internal drive is what led him to keep innovating in skateboarding.
• Tony Hawk's motivation was always to push his boundaries in skateboarding.
• Tony Hawk was made fun of for his lack of style in skateboarding, but he kept going to prove them wrong.
• It's important to find something you love, but also to realize what it encompasses.
• Choosing progress over perfection is important in skateboarding and in life.
• Find something you enjoy doing and follow it.

Choose Progress Over Perfection | Tony Hawk on Impact Theory - YouTube

Tony Hawk's Career

• Tony Hawk's motivation was always to keep getting better at skateboarding.
• He didn't care about standings or perception of his style.
• Many athletes lose motivation after reaching a certain apex, but Tony Hawk's motivation was to keep progressing.
• He started skating at nine, turned pro at 14, and by age 25 had competed in 103 Pro contests, winning 73 of them.
• Skateboarding was a fringe sport that saw him routinely mocked and picked on, but he persevered.

Dealing with Injuries

• The first time Tony Hawk got hurt, he got a concussion and knocked out his teeth.
• His first thought was not about the severity of the injury, but how long he would have to stay off his skateboard.
• He realized he wasn't afraid to get hurt for the sake of progression.
• Many of his friends quit skateboarding after getting hurt, but Tony Hawk wanted to push through and learn from his mistakes.
• If his parents had told him to quit, he would have tried to skate and make a go of it however he could.

Navigating Setbacks

• Skateboarding's popularity disappeared overnight, and Tony Hawk and his business partner had to contemplate shutting down their skateboard company multiple times.
• He sold his house, lived off cheap sandwiches and a $5 a day Taco Bell allowance, and did anything he could to make ends meet.
• His commitment, insane work ethic, and love of progression paid off when skateboarding had a massive resurgence in popularity due to the X Games.
• He dominated the sport, winning nine gold medals and landing the first ever 900 on live TV.
• His Foundation has helped create roughly 600 skate parks across all 50 states.

Choose Progress Over Perfection | Tony Hawk on Impact Theory - YouTube

Choosing Progress Over Perfection

• Tony Hawk's advice is to choose progress over perfection.
• Perfection is unattainable, but progress is always possible.
• He believes in setting goals and working towards them, even if they seem impossible.
• He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and not giving up when faced with setbacks.
• He encourages people to find their passion and pursue it, even if it's not a traditional career path.

Support from Family

• Tony Hawk's dad was a big support in his skateboarding career.
• His dad drove him and other skaters to different parks in Southern California.
• Without his dad's support, Tony may not have been successful.
• Tony's dad also took his younger brother, Riley, to the skate park.
• Riley was a natural at skating and got hurt a few times, but he kept coming back to it.

Dealing with Fear and Pain

• Tony Hawk struggled with fear and pain when watching his son, Riley, skate for the first time.
• Riley broke both elbows before he was ten years old.
• Tony helped Riley deal with pain and fear by leading by example.
• Tony has been through many injuries and his sons rely on him to assess their injuries.
• Tony believes that the sooner you get out moving after an injury, the faster it heals.

Internal Drive

• Tony Hawk's internal drive is what led him to keep innovating in skateboarding.
• He loved skateboarding because it felt like an empty canvas where anything you did was a new trick.
• He didn't care about standings or perception of his style, as long as he could keep learning new tricks.
• His motivation was always to keep getting better at skating.
• Enduring naysayers and bullies was helpful in his career.

Pushing Boundaries

• Tony Hawk's motivation was always to push his boundaries in skateboarding.
• He wanted to keep learning new tricks and getting better.
• He didn't want to reach a certain apex and lose motivation.
• He endured people making fun of him for doing tricks instead of focusing on style.
• He didn't have the body frame for big gnarly airs and flowy style, but he figured out his own style.

Tony Hawk's Career and Motivation

• Tony Hawk was made fun of for his lack of style in skateboarding, but he kept going to prove them wrong.
• He never wanted to slow down and had an internal drive to keep going.
• He loved skating and was able to make a living doing something he enjoyed.
• He learned that following what you enjoy doing is the key to success.
• Passion is not about cashing in or perks, but about enjoying your work.

Learning All Aspects of Your Passion

• It's important to find something you love, but also to realize what it encompasses.
• Tony Hawk learned all aspects of skateboarding, including business skills.
• Embracing the challenges of your passion can lead to new skills and advantages.
• Learning things that may seem trivial or boring can give you an advantage in the end.
• Embrace the challenge and find a sense of community in what you're doing.

Choosing Progress Over Perfection

• Choosing progress over perfection is important in skateboarding and in life.
• Perfection is unattainable, but progress is always possible.
• It's important to embrace failure and learn from it.
• Don't let fear hold you back from trying new things.
• Focus on the process and the journey, not just the end result.

Advice for Finding Your Passion

• Find something you enjoy doing and follow it.
• Realize that success is not just about money or external validation.
• Embrace the challenges and learn all aspects of your passion.
• Don't let fear hold you back from trying new things.
• Focus on enjoying the journey and the process.

Watch the video on YouTube:
Choose Progress Over Perfection | Tony Hawk on Impact Theory - YouTube