TAKING RISKS
"It is impossible to win the great prizes in life without running risks."
-- Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. President
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
WE, NOT ME, WILL PREVAIL!
The following levels of team commitment comes an excellent book, "Championship Team Building" written by Jeff Janssen.
1. Resistant- player has not bought into the team goal, usually because he has his own agenda. The only reason the player may be working hard is for selfish reasons.
2. Reluctant- player is hesitant, disinterested or sometimes afraid to commit to the team goal. These are the players who usually do enough to get by when prodded, but cut corners when they thing they can get away with it.
3. Existent- team goal has little significance and the player is often participating for other reasons. These are the players who are on the team because their friends are or their parents want them to be. (This level occurs often in youth sports.)
4. Compliant- team goal is important and the player will do what is asked to achieve the team goal. This player understands and agrees with the team goal and will abide by the team standards to achieve it. They will do what is asked of them and usually no more or no less.
5. Committed- team goal is of high importance and the player is willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve it. These are the players who put in the extra time and energy necessary to help the team succeed.
6. Compelled- team goal is of utmost importance and the player is totally invested in making it a reality. These are the players who feel a true sense of mission and purpose in what they are doing. They seek to and enjoy putting in extra time because they view it as an important investment in achieving the team’s mission.
A WINNING CULTURE
- - Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame Football Coach
Championship teams find a way to transform themselves into winners. No doubt, there needs to be talent, but there also needs to be a winning culture. Cultures are created outside individual abilities. In sports, the creation of a culture starts by the way the team prepares in practice. It is impacted by the way the team interacts with one another. It is solidified by the way the team conducts itself whether in competition or in the community, as well as the positive attitude every member of the team carries with him at all times -- during moments when things are going well and during those times when it would be easy to complain or blame.
Strong on and off the court leadership is going to be key for this team's success. You and your staff should work hard to ensure everyone is on board for what is required to achieve championship results in the upcoming season(s). Your team(s) may have plenty of young talent, but they need to mesh together (everyone) to create a winning culture that will take you all through a long, challenging season.
Selflessness, intensity and passion are common attributes of all championship teams. Leadership is needed at every turn to ensure these traits remain constant throughout a long season.
NOTHING OR NO ONE STOPS YOU BUT YOU
"The path of least resistance is the path of the loser. "
-- H.G. Wells, author
In the movie "A league of the Own," Jimmy Dugan (played by Tom Hanks) had a heated discussion with his star player Dottie Hinson (played by Geena Davis) about quitting the baseball team, and her decision to move back to Oregon in the middle of the playoffs. Towards the end of the discussion, Hinson said, "It (playing Baseball) just got too hard." Dugan's reply, "Its suppose to be hard... If it wasn't hard, then everyone would do it... The HARD is what makes it (Baseball) Great!"
In life adversity strikes us all. If we look for and take the easy way out, then we'll never truly experience long-term success and satisfaction because we are (in essence) running from the challenges. Whether you are an athlete, coach, lawyer, teacher, doctor, tax accountant, etc. you have a challenge(s), and those challenges are place in front of you to test you (and help you grow). So, face them... Meet them with confidence, overcome them, and press forward. Never run from them again! All the successful people you know and/ or have heard of did not do it and prevailed... So why should you?
PLAYING TO WIN IN CONNECTION TO HAVING FUN
In the pursuit of victory, there are times when we as competitors lose sight of the origin of why we began playing the game(s) we play, and that is we love and enjoy playing the game(s) we play. As a result, these competitors fall short of winning. If we as competitors take a step back and reflect on this, as well as letting go of that "win at all cost" approach, we can enjoy the experience more while pursuing victory. This applies to coaches, players, and parents!!!
When we talk about playing on a team (or working with others) the same principle applies. Your teammates will not enjoy being around you if you are all about winning because you are not a joy to be around. You want things to be perfect (which they are not), wants to be your way and your way only, and eventually distance and dissension will shine. So, go the opposite route. Relax, enjoy the moment, do your best, and don't worry about the end result. By doing this, you will perform better, be a better teammate, and have a good/ memorable experience.
REST
"It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it."
-- John Steinbeck, Author
Our bodies, as well as our minds, need to rest. Studies have shown that a good amount a sleep does wonders for both the body and the brain. Never neglect the importance of rest, no matter how hard you are working towards achieving a goal. At the same token, don't indulge in it too much as you won't achieve what you are striving.
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