the bright child

I'm struggling.  I'm struggling with a bright child.  I'm struggling with an extremely bright child who does not know how to challenge himself.  In no way do I intend to compare my child to his friends, or any other child for that matter, but I am struggling,  I think to put my thoughts down, and "think out loud" a little will help me map out the road ahead of me.

My child has it easy.  He has it easy in school.  He gets straight As without much effort.  He participates in all of the "advanced" programming (granted, that amounts to 1/2 hour per week in our school), and he is well liked by his teachers and friends.  He doesn't like to disappoint, so he performs well on all that he is asked.  He knows no other way.  It has been this way all of his life; easy for him.

My child is talented.  He has raw athletic talent.  His coaches wonder why he didn't play football this year.  Others see his speed on the soccer field and wonder why he doesn't do that all the time.  Recently, his basketball coaches have commented on his "lack of effort" on the court.  He seems to do what is expected and no more.  He seems to not have the confidence in himself that comes with tackling a challenge and overcoming it.  I wonder if this is because he has always had success in his life without much effort?

What's a mother to do?  How do I teach this child of mine to challenge himself?  How do I show him to live his life to the fullest, with the most effort?  How to I get him to work hard at EVERYTHING he does so he doesn't later regret his choices?  How do I show him the tremendous reward that comes with pushing yourself, and succeeding?  This life is too short to do nothing but...

I'm going to spend time googling, searching, seeking, and asking.  I am going to find someone to talk to about this.  I am going to work with his teachers and coaches to push him.  I will make this commitment to him.  He has so, so much to offer this world.  He will be an amazing contributor to his family and community.  But I will do what I can during the 8 years he has left in our home to help him understand the value of hard work and how much he can learn from tackling a challenge head on.