NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson said the one constant among winning players is being willing to fail in the summer when nobody is watching.
— Bryce Butler (@bball_brainiac1) June 17, 2026
Every failed rep forces you to adjust and figure it out, and that is exactly what builds the self belief that shows up when the lights come… pic.twitter.com/YngmlvRdXO
Have the will to fail.
Unconventional wisdom allows the neonate to walk, the pitcher to pitch to contact, the attacker to find new ways to score.
The story that resonates shares the mogul skier watched by a nine year-old who says, "I love how you ski. You never fall." At that moment, the woman realized she could not become a champion without taking more risk, having the will to fail. She became a champion.
There's a saying that the cost of an Olympic Gold Medal in figure skating is falling 20,000 times.
The conventional advice is "leave your comfort zone."
Leaving the Comfort Zone
Growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. Improvement requires a willingness to be uncomfortable, make mistakes, and risk failure in pursuit of mastery.
1. Seek Better Competition
One of the fastest ways to improve is to compete against athletes who are better than you.
Leveling up can be humbling. What worked may not still work. Your favorite serve may come back faster than expected. Weaknesses are exposed that were hidden against lesser opponents.
Many college programs have a scrimmage team comprised of men.
Better competition illuminates gaps in your game and forces change. Great players do not avoid strong opponents; they seek them out. "Iron sharpens iron."
2. Change Weakness Into Strength
Most athletes enjoy practicing known skills. The problem is that comfort does not foster growth.
The outside hitter who struggles in serve receive needs more and tougher serve receive reps. The setter who avoids blocking should work on athleticism, footwork, and timing. The server content to "get the ball over" needs to become more intentional with better planning and execution attacking seams, sidelines, short, or weak defenders.
The will to attack weaknesses separates good players from exceptional ones.
3. Assume Leadership
Leadership can create stress, especially for athletes who are natural introverts. You don't need a title to lead.
Leadership means communicating early, loud, and often. Hold teammates accountable, encourage others through mistakes, and raise standards when hard times come...and they always do.
Leadership can improve performance though commitment to excellence and growing confidence. Teaching, communicating, and setting an example deepen understanding and strengthen commitment to the team.
The Common Thread
In each case, the athlete chooses challenge over comfort:
- Better opponents instead of easier wins.
- Weakness development instead of favorite drills.
- Leadership responsibility instead of retreat to the background.
The comfort zone feels safe, but growth lives elsewhere.
The athletes who consistently stretch themselves - physically, mentally, and emotionally—are the ones most likely to approach mastery. Have the will to fail.
Lagniappe. Love our losses.
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