Belief as a Tool

Four minute video shares the power of belief. From his article: 

These three questions will help:

1. Is this belief helping me see opportunities or blinding me to them?
2. Is this belief giving me energy or draining it?
3. Is this belief pushing me forward or holding me back?

Analogies or examples:

1) In Man's Search for Meaning, psychologist Viktor Frankl discussed his "experience" at Nazi death camps and his perceptions of what kept prisoners going. 

2) Admiral James Stockdale, long held as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam, survived a gauntlet of tortures and led his men to resist becoming political tools of their captors. 

3) Joe Rantz was literally sent out of his home at age 15 during the depression, found hard, physical work to survive, and became an Olympic rowing champion at the University of Washington. His story is revealed in The Boys in the Boat, one of the best books I have ever read. 

What is your MVB situation and beliefs? 

1) Do you see opportunity ahead of you, regardless of your class, if you improve?

2) If you don't believe, can you reinvent your beliefs and work? 

3) Are your current beliefs limiting or liberating? 

Every year at the breakup dinner and season celebration, Coach Scott Celli reminds players that every position is available. Certainly with graduation, opportunities abound. I couldn't name the Opening Day starting lineup and I doubt that Coach Celli could either. 

Some memorable players underwent positional changes. Here are a few:

Alyssa DiRaffaele moved from attacker to libero and helped get to the State Finals. 

Gia Vlajkovic moved from setter to outside hitter and earned "Triple Crown" status (All-State, Globe and Herald All-Scholastic) and a pair of sectional titles. 

As a senior, Sadie Jaggers moved outside from middle and likewise earned the "Triple Crown." 

Exceptional players have exceptional beliefs and earn extraordinary trust. 

Lagniappe. Enjoy the struggle. 

Steve Nash shares the truth about the journey to greatness.

"You don't have to be the chosen one."

"The secret is to build the resolve and spirit to enjoy the plateaus - the times when it doesn't feel like you're improving and you question why you're doing this."

Most people… pic.twitter.com/hybx2MhCae

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) March 14, 2026