More on Belief

Flanking the top of the Wooden "Pyramid of Success" are faith and patience. What words substitute? BELIEF and TIME. 

Nir Eyal excavates the power of belief in his book, "Beyond Belief." Belief impacts everything we do. 

You trust in your family because you've learned to believe in them. Belief impacts your academic performance. If your identity is academic excellence, it reinforces attention, study habits, and 'work product'. By now, you should realize that your earned expertise and experience in volleyball get you on the team and on the court. 

Belief drives effort

If you don't think that reps, game play, video study, and strength and conditioning make a difference, why would you make the sacrifice? 

Belief shapes attention

If you've watched some video of elite Melrose players, then you've seen how Hannah Brickley, Brooke Bell, Sarah McGowan and others went about their business. Attention is the first price paid for excellence. To be an excellent server, you have to believe, "I'm good at serving and I'm getting better every day." 

Belief forms competitive character

Coach Scott Celli and I have talked from time to time about "dirt dogs." Dirt dogs go beyond, get bruises and floor burns, and come back for more. Leah Fowke was an excellent example of a dirt dog. There are a bunch on MVB 26. 

Belief impacts performance under pressure

Your belief in yourself fashions your identity and identity relates to the "clutch gene." Your performance under pressure during the biggest matches reflects and reinforces your beliefs. Be worthy of the self-talk, "I rise to meet the moment. That is who I am." 

Belief travels with consistency

"You can only be as good as you believe you are." Confidence balances arrogance at one extreme and doubt on the other. The player with self-belief tells herself, "Hit it to me. I will make the play."

ChatGPT suggested:

Many volleyball problems are belief problems:

• Players who don’t believe they can jump higher don’t attack training.

• Players who don’t believe they can read hitters don’t watch the shoulder and arm.

• Teams who don’t believe they can beat strong opponents play cautiously.

Former Celtics Coach Rick Pitino wrote a book, "Success Is a Choice." To earn success, earn belief. 

Lagniappe. Belief is growth. 

LA Rams HC Sean McVay - Be An Elevator

"We want to try and be elevators, we want to try and help people be able to reach their highest potential."

"What that means is that you elevate every person/situation that you're a part of. That's what great leaders do."

"I know when I… pic.twitter.com/eFvSXBHGid

— James Light (@JamesALight) January 25, 2026