Exceeding Expectations

     "Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be."  -

Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Avoid the curse of unlimited potential. Sport is littered with stories of childhood prodigies, bonus babies, and unfulfilled promises about high draft choices.

Expectations of high performance can crush a person’s soul. What possible solutions exist?

1. Focus on process not on results. “Plan your craft, then craft your plan.”

2. Tune out the noise. Distractions reduce your chances of sticking to your plan. Remember the story of Pinocchio and how his trip to Pleasure island turned out?

3. Be intentional with your habits. Less obvious but powerful habits like recovery after training, sleep, nutrition, and hydration advance your story.

4. Find mentors. “Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence.” Mark Twain wrote, “it was amazing how much my old man learned in the four years I was away at school.”

5. Think critically before accepting information at face value. Ask is this true, why and what are the implications?

Make it actionable:

-Write out your plan. Stick to it.

-Identify distractions. Avoid them. 

-"Winners are trackers." Have a weekly planner to record progress. 

-Mentors include foremost your family including older siblings, coaches, and teachers. 

-What matters most is seeing clearly what is, as opposed to information filtered through praise or criticism. The best players understand their reality and work to leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses. 

Lagniappe. No sound, just action. Focus on the setup and the momentum generated.