Building Your Legacy

Exceptional teams begin with exceptional people. Teenagers don't invest time considering legacy. Nor should they.

Take this thought experiment. List a dozen words that might describe a student-athlete you admire. Here's a starter set:

• Industrious (hard-working)
• Smart
• Excellence
• Reliable
• Focused
• Integrity 
• Humble
• Resilient
• Communicator
• Toughness
• Friendly
• Unselfish

Up the stakes. List five qualities that you would want applied to you. Maybe the "wish" genie will grant them to you. There's no right answer...

- Industrious "Always do your best."

- Excellence - Good results follow from good process.

- Resilient - Nothing goes our way all the time. Bounce back.

- Humble - "Thinking less about yourself doesn't mean thinking less of yourself." 

- Communicator - The best communicators listen and communicate simply and clearly. 

Choosing a top five doesn't exclude other desirable qualities like being honest, determined, unselfish, or friendly. There's overlap.  

You have a list. How do you make it real?

• Model your qualities (improve process). 
• Track progress. 
• Get a mentor (coach). 
• Commit publicly (or tell a friend). "I'm going to get an A in math." Raise the stakes of commitment and consistency.
• Consult AI (?)

Prompt: As a student-athlete I want to improve my communication. I wish to communicate clearly, simply, and humbly. Can you share five ideas for that?

1. Active Listening: Focus on truly understanding what others are saying before you respond. This means making eye contact, nodding, and asking clarifying questions. When you listen actively, your responses will be more relevant and considerate, which helps you communicate more clearly.

2. Keep it Simple: Avoid using jargon or overly complex language. Instead, break down your thoughts into straightforward points. This doesn’t mean dumbing things down, but rather making sure your message is accessible to everyone involved.

3. Be Concise: Practice getting to the point quickly. In both spoken and written communication, try to convey your message in as few words as necessary. This helps keep your audience engaged and reduces the chances of misunderstanding.

4. Acknowledge Others: Show appreciation for others' perspectives and contributions. Phrases like “I see your point,” or “That’s a great idea,” demonstrate humility and respect, fostering a more collaborative environment.

5. Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback on your communication style from coaches, teammates, or mentors. Use their input to refine how you express yourself. Being open to feedback shows that you’re committed to improving and can help you identify areas where you might be unclear or too complex.

Lagniappe. Create action on the ball requires practice. You can't mentally add topspin or curve.