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The following is a listing of all posts in the category of Motivation for our site.

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Coach Always Said…

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This post was written by Eric Musselman.

IMO, it is a great reminder that our words as coaches can last a lifetime with the athletes that we coach, so it is imperative that we choose them wisely and intentionally.

I hope there are a few thoughts contained herein that you can edit so that they are meaningful to your athletes.

Here is what Coach Musselman has to say about the post.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve tried to make a note of every time a player said, “Coach always says…”. I’d see an article, highlight it, and toss it in a file.

During that time, I’ve come across hundreds of examples across every sport. It’s a simple reminder of what messages players retain and recall, sometimes years after they’ve left the field or the gym.

Here’s a selection of them.

I hope that some of them strike a chord with you and that they help you with the messages that you craft for your team.

“Enthusiasm is like rippling water; it spreads.”

“Make the easy play.”

“Don’t let your mind convince you that you can’t do something.”

“Play with your heart on defense and your head on offense.”

“The next play is the biggest play.”

“The pain of regret is worse than the pain of disappointment.”

“Let the mistakes go because if you hold on to them you’re going to keep making mistakes.”

“Practice is not about punishment, it’s about improvement.”

“How do you want to be remembered?”

“In 10, 15, 20 years, we won’t remember the scores but will remember the times we had.”

“Something that is moving tends to keep moving, and things that are stopped tend to stay stopped.”

“Don’t fear who you play, even if you know they have an advantage over you.”

“If you can’t be on time, be early.”

“Stay calm and play your game.”

“Every play matters.”

“Things in the past don’t matter, it’s what’s going on now that counts.”

“Don’t take anyone for granted.”

“Keep a cool head in a hot situation.”

“Not to think about ourselves; think about your teammates.”

“There are only two directions we can go — up or down.”

“Don’t let the day go by.”

“A game is just a practice with more people.”

“Play with poise.”

“Being a member of a team is a privilege, not a right.”

“Nobody is going to outwork us, but nobody will have more fun either.”

“You have to go out and find the best competition to compete against if you want to get better.”

“If you are not doing it the right way, why are you doing it? Learn how to do it the right way and practice it the right way.”

“If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

“You’ll be remembered by your last performance.”

“Toughness is a skill.”

“Don’t let anyone know that you’re frustrated.”

“You can’t think you’re good enough. If you think you’re good enough, you’re never going to get better.”

“If you do the little things right you’ll have a much better chance to win.”

“What you put in is what you get out.”

“You’re six inches away from success.” [Six inches is the distance between your ears.]

“Winning isn’t like a light bulb. You can’t just switch it on when you need it.”

“You don’t improve during the playoffs. You improve at practice.”

“If you want to be a champ, you have to surround yourself with champs.”

“The season is a marathon not a sprint. What matters is that our team gets better with each game and practice.”

“Fix the small problems and most of the big problems correct themselves.”

“Life is a journey, not a destination.”

“We either get better or we get worse. We never stay the same.”

“Hesitate and you’re dead.”

“You have to go hard on every play because it could be the difference in the game.”

“An excuse is the easiest thing in the world to make.”

“I don’t want excuses. I want results.”

“In every crisis lies opportunity.”

“The game doesn’t teach character, it reveals it.”

“Games typically come down to five plays. You either make those plays or you don’t.”

“Keep your mouth shut and keep working.”

“You have to rise to the occasion.”

“The mental is to the physical as 4 is to 1.”

“Just get better every game (and practice).”

“You never have a rebuilding year, you rebuild within yourselves.”

“Concentrate on effort; the results will take care of themselves.”

“Stop talking about doing it and do it.”

“Good things happen to good people who work hard.”

“Life is about relationships.”

Turn the page. Good stuff, bad stuff, just turn the page.”

“Effort is good, but intelligent effort is what we want.”

“Action is quicker than a reaction.”

‘We’re not playing our opponent. We’re trying to beat the game. The opponent is just another hurdle.”

“Have your teammates’ back.”

“Process.”

“Do your job and half of somebody else’s.”

“The person on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

“It’s not the quantity of practice, it’s the quality.”

“The advantage goes to the aggressor.”

“The people who move ahead are the ones who are ready when their opportunity comes.”

“Two or three bad things happen to you every game. You just have to come back and make another play.”

“It’s like a bundle of sticks. If you are one stick alone, it’s easy to break, but if it’s 11 sticks all together it’s hard to break.”

“Come back harder after you’re hurt.”

“No negative body language.”

“Hard work doesn’t guarantee success.”

“Your job is to find a way to turn the bad into good.”

“Take advantage of every opportunity that comes along. You may only have one chance.”

“The way you play in the game is a reflection of how you practice.”

“Forget about the last play. Think about the next play.”

“There is no such thing as a comfortable lead.”

“If you make a mistake, make an aggressive mistake.”

“The game starts in warm up.”

“If you have a passion for something, then do it as hard as you can — and as well as you can — every time.”

“Finish.”

“‘Potential’ is a scary word. It takes work to be good.”

“The team that makes the most plays and wins the turnover battle is going to win the game.”

“Don’t put your head down if you miss a shot.”

“Emotion comes and goes; passion is forever.”


Filed Under: Motivation

An Athlete’s Inventory of Success

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Some thoughts to share with your team on what it takes to succeed in all areas of life, including athletics…

  1. Successful athletes earnestly want to succeed, and they do something about it.
  2. They set goals for themselves.
  3. Successful athletes realize that everything worth having in athletics has a price-tag in terms of training and competitive effort. They understand that success has its cost, but they pay their way knowingly, keeping their eyes on their goals.
  4. They realize their future success in the final analysis will depend upon their own personal efforts.
  5. Successful athletes consider work a privilege, not a chore.
  6.  

  7. They accept personal responsibility for their own success.
  8. Successful athletes don’t depend upon luck, They Know that success goes only where it’s invited.
  9. They know that willpower, not magic, turns dreams, into reality.
  10. Successful athletes have a high frustration tolerance. They don’t become discouraged at temporary setbacks. They learn from these setbacks and look ahead to the next competition with optimism.
  11. They don’t waste time thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. They don’t complain about what they haven’t got. They develop to the maximum what they have.
  12.  

  13. Though willing to change for the better, successful athletes do not flit from one training method or technique to the other from day to day. They determine a long-range course of action and follow through on it with faith in its effectiveness.
  14. Successful athletes profit by their own mistakes, and they profit by the mistakes of others.
  15. They avoid negative thoughts and defeatist thinking.
  16. Successful athletes don’t have head-trouble, but they do have guts.
  17. They are totally reliable and responsible in training matters.
  18.  

  19. They don’t alibi. They know the best excuse is the one you never make.
  20. Successful athletes set examples for others.
  21. They are cooperative with both coaches and teammates.
  22. Successful athletes are by far the easiest to coach.
  23. They are not injury prone. They have far fewer injuries than the less successful.
  24. Successful athletes are enthusiastic. They generate their own enthusiasm. They don’t grumble, moan, groan, and complain.
  25. Athletes who fail tend to be cynical. They believe their coaches are not leading them properly. They are unwilling to be impressed or inspired. This is expected of the phony, the snobbish, the pseudo-intellectual, … but it dooms an athlete when the coach tries to inspire him/her and he/she just sits there saying this is a lot of nonsense. The good athlete does not ridicule the capacities and the ideas of the coach … SHE RESPONDS!


Filed Under: Archives, Motivation

The Quiz

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See how your team does on this quiz…

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series Winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They’re the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers or coaches who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worth while.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name a half dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? The lesson? The people who make a difference in your life aren’t the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They’re the ones who care.


Filed Under: Motivation

The DNA of Top Achievers

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Written by Chris Widener (www.chriswidener.com)

Of course by now we are all becoming aware of DNA. It is the source code that determines who we are. When we look at DNA we can see what a person will look like, what diseases they may come down with, etc. This has been a tremendous breakthrough for scientists and will continue to be so for some time, I think.

This got me to thinking about what makes up those who are top achievers. Is there a “DNA” to them? Obviously, all top achievers wouldn’t have the same literal DNA but what about a figurative DNA? Is there a common “gene” that they all have? Are there common “genes” perhaps? I think so!

If we could get right down to it, I think these are the genes we would find in the DNA of top achievers:

A predisposition to setting high, lofty goals. Top achievers are people who won’t and can’t settle for the status quo. They see average as a place they want to keep in the rear-view mirror. Instead, they continually look for ways to stretch themselves, to get better, to do better, to be better! They set their sights on goals that others have never even thought of. They want to shoot so high that even if they miss, they go higher than everyone else. This is what makes them top achievers.

An ability to focus intently upon reaching their desired destination. Many people can set high goals, but just as many people get sidetracked by one thing or another on their way to those goals. High, lofty goals usually take a while to get there so there will always be plenty of time to be tempted to stray away from the road that is taking you to those goals. Often, those things that sidetrack people are good things, but not the best things. Top achievers do not get sidetracked. They stay focused. They know where they are going. They have an ability to say “no” to the good things in order to get to the best things.

The willingness to personally sacrifice in order to get to their goal. When the going gets tough, many people quit. When the going get tough personally, most people quit. When the going gets tough for top achievers, they remind themselves of the high. lofty goals they have set for themselves. They remind themselves of what an accomplishment it will be for them and that the reward is worth pushing through the momentary trials. They are willing to sacrifice personally in the short-term in order to get the reward and the prize long-term. Keeping their eyes on the big picture enables them to persevere through any personal pain they may experience.

A predisposition to tenacity. Tenacity is the ability to “keep on going.” Tough times? Keep on going! Financial troubles? Keep on going! People are suspect? Keep on going! You look like a dreamer? Keep on going! Tired? Keep on going! Want to quit and take it easy? Keep on going! Just remember this: Keep on going! The prize is ahead! Many people quit just before they were to get the reward, so keep on going!

The ability to see available resources and to use them accordingly. Those who are top achievers know that they cannot be lone-rangers on the way to the top. No one makes it by himself or herself. Top achievers recognize their weaknesses – the weaknesses that if they don’t cover will keep them from becoming a top achiever! They see their resources and they work to get them into a helping position so they can continue the route to becoming a top achiever. And they don’t use them, they utilize them. There is a big difference! People, finances, etc are all brought in to help by the top achiever.

A desire to help others achieve more for themselves as well. The top achiever knows that they can make a difference for others by becoming a top achiever. They know that the wealth they make can feed the hungry. They know that the position of influence they achieve can open a door for someone who may not normally get a chance. True top achievers look at how they can bring many with them, not how they can leave many in the dust. People are helped by the top achiever, not trampled upon!

I think if we could get to the DNA of top achievers, the things we talked about above would be at the core and fiber of their beings. What about you? Did you recognize yourself at all? I hope so! The good news about the DNA we are talking about today as opposed to real DNA is that you can go out and work on top achiever DNA whereas you are stuck with real DNA. So if you lack a little in the above-mentioned areas, take heart – you can get better and work on them so that you can become a top achiever!

Go get ‘em, tiger!

Chris Widener, is a successful businessman, author, speaker and television host.

He has authored over 450 articles and nine books, including a New York Times and Wall Street Journal Best-seller. He has produced over 85 CDs and DVDs on leadership, motivation and success.

Chris Widener is the past host of the national interview show – Made For Success and past co-host of True Performance with Zig Ziglar. Chris is also a writer for SUCCESS magazine.


Filed Under: Motivation

The ABCs for all Teams

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I found this list to share with your players on Mayville State University Women’s Basketball Coach Dennis Hutter’s site www.coachhutter.com.

My hope is that you can make some adaptations to the document that fit your team’s standards and ideals and share it with your players, no matter what your sport.

The ABC’s of Comets Basketball

Attitude – An Attitude of Gratitude, writing thank you notes once a week to someone who has helped you.

Balance – The ability to be successful in life while dealing with your basketball, academic and personal life.

Commitment – What every player understands is necessary to become the player and team we want to be.

Discipline – Doing the right thing, at the right time, every time you do it, no matter who is watching.

Excellence – What we achieve every day through effort, energy, execution and emphasis on the little things.

Family – What we are, we are more than a team we are a Family.

Greatness –What we strive for everyday from on the floor to in the classroom to in our personal lives.

Honor – Understanding the opportunity they have to play sports.

Integrity – Handling all situations with a positive mental, physical and emotional state of mind.

Journey – It is not the finish line, it is everything done in the time heading to the finish line.

Knowledge – Upperclassmen passing down the culture of our program to the new players.

Leadership – Every player on our team has a leadership responsibility, and that is your Example.

Motivation – What will make you the player that you want to be, intrinsic motivation cannot be taught.

N.B.A. – Next Best Action.

Opportunity – What every player gets being a part of our family, from Varsity to Junior Varsity.

Pride – Understanding what/who you are playing for, and giving everything you have for that cause.

Quality – The product produced by doing the right things.

Respect – The manner in which we treat all people. We care about people.

Servanthood – Giving back to the people who helped you get to where you are.

Tenacity – Our Attitude whenever we step on the floor.

Unselfishness – Being able to take the attention off of ourselves and put it on our teammates.

Victory – What we strive for every time we step on the floor. Not just on the scoreboard.

WIN – What’s Important Now?

Xample – It’s not the Main thing, it’s the ONLY thing!

Youth – Interacting with youth around the area through camps, helping at their school and games.

Zeal – The way in which we approach every situation.


Filed Under: Motivation

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