Saturday, February 18, 2023

Craft Your Plan

As a top NBA draft choice, Jayson Tatum chose a specific path. Some choose "the life" of celebrating the experience. Most "wash out." Others craft a plan to improve their body, their skill, game understanding, and leadership. 

High school athletes are younger, with fewer gifts and less maturity, but face the same choices. 

  • What future do I want? 
  • How can I identify the path? "Look for the helpers."
  • How can I control my destiny (the metaphor of the rider and the elephant)? Does reason or emotion win? 
Tatum leaned on a mature teammate, Al Horford, to realize that he needed a plan to become great. 

Charles Barkley shared a similar story, as veteran Moses Malone counseled him to save his money and avoid an 'entourage' that would only siphon off his resources. When Barkley became a veteran NBA player, he advised young players the same way. Many said, "stop dogging me old man." In other words, don't put me down, I know how to live. 

Many professional athletes become bankrupt despite earning millions of dollars. 

As a young athlete, don't go figuratively, emotionally bankrupt as you seek the pathway to success. Craft your plan; you'll reap the rewards. 

Lagniappe. Reminders on approach:
  • Study technique (become a technician)
  • Practice technique to automate technique
  • Watch (cellphone) video of your approach 
  • Refine after study 
  • Understand that sport rewards explosive athletes




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