A Coach's Diary

“If you can put aside your sensitivities and your ego, and focus on regrouping, a no can be one of the best things that ever happens to you.” - Will Packer Will Packer is one of the most successful producers and filmmakers in the world, with ten #1 box-office hits and over $1 billion in ticket sales. Will once said, “Every no has value, but in order to find it, you gotta get past the fact that you were told no.” A no doesn’t mean you’re not good enough — it means there’s something you can learn or get better at. Will said Beyoncé once turned down a movie he wanted her to star in five times, but  didn’t quit. Every time, he asked her why, made adjustments, and kept improving until she finally said yes. Each no made the project better. Packer says, “If you can put aside your sensitivities and your ego, and focus on regrouping, a no can be one of the best things that ever happens to you.” Instead of letting rejection pull you down, let it refine you. Every no can move you one step clo...

“First, find your passion, find what it is that interests you. [Then] you need people in your circles and organizations that show you and tell you that you can do it, you can be it.” - Tamika Catchings Who is on your team? Tamika Catchings is a WNBA legend, Olympic gold medalist, and Basketball Hall of Famer known for her time with the Indiana Fever. She once said, “First, find your passion, find what it is that interests you. [Then] you need people in your circles and organizations that show you and tell you that you can do it, you can be it.” Find your passion — something you care strongly about. Then, surround yourself with belief-builders — people who see potential in you, especially when you doubt yourself. They help you grow into what you might not yet believe you can become. Community fuels confidence. Achievement isn’t a solo journey; encouragement, mentorship, and representation help turn dreams into reality. Question of the Day: Who are the people in your circle who push you...

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” - Vince Lombardi If perfection isn’t possible, why do great teams and leaders still chase it? Vince Lombardi was a legendary American football coach best known for leading the Green Bay Packers to multiple championships and for his enduring legacy as a symbol of discipline, leadership, and excellence. He once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” While no one is or can be perfect, striving for perfection pushes us to perform at our highest level and achieve excellence along the way. We do this by setting high standards and committing to give our best effort every day, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about focusing on growth and improvement, not flawless results. When we consistently aim higher, excellence becomes the natural outcome of our effort and discipline. Question of the Day: How can we raise our standards and give our best effort, even wh...

“A part of what gets a swimmer to the elite level is an ability to face challenges head-on, to defy improbability.” - Jenny Thompson How do you approach difficult situations — do you attack or avoid them? Jenny Thompson was an elite competitive swimmer for the U.S. who won 12 Olympic medals from 1992 to 2004. She later became an anesthesiologist. Jenny once said, “A part of what gets a swimmer to the elite level is an ability to face challenges head-on, to defy improbability.” This quote means that reaching an elite level in swimming—or in anything—requires more than talent or training. It takes the courage to face tough situations directly instead of avoiding them. Elite swimmers don’t back down from hard workouts, setbacks, or tough competition; they meet challenges with determination and belief that they can improve.  “Defying improbability” means pushing through moments when success seems unlikely or the odds are against you. True growth happens when you confront difficulty, no...

"Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.” - Venus Williams Who do you want to become? Venus Williams a tennis champion, entrepreneur, and trailblazer who transformed women’s tennis with her power, poise, and advocacy for equality on and off the court. She once said, “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.” Confidence often follows action — even if you don’t feel confident at first, acting as if you do can help you build real belief over time. Think about the person you want to become and act like them. When you “act as if” — behaving like the confident, capable version of yourself even when you don’t fully feel that way — your brain begins to form new neural pathways that link those actions with positive outcomes. Each time you take action despite doubt, your brain records evidence that you can do hard things. Over time, that evidence rewires your mindset: what once f...

“Be where your feet are. And really serve the people around you. Serve them in a way they need to be served, not just how you want to serve.” - Kelsey Plum Do you focus more on yesterday, today, or tomorrow? Kelsey Plum played basketball for the University of Washington. She had a record-breaking career, ending her career as the all-time NCAA Division 1 women’s scoring leader, and set the record for most points in a single season. She once said, “Be where your feet are. And really serve the people around you. Serve them in a way they need to be served, not just how you want to serve. So often we look anxiously for what’s next instead of focusing on what’s right in front of us. Find ways to make today the best day, and find ways to serve other people. The key to performing your best is staying present, focusing on what you can control right now, and helping the people around you. By doing that, you not only push through your own fatigue but also lift up others along the way. Question of...