5.4 Bobby Knight: The Will to Win

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“The key is not the will to win... everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” - Bobby Knight

Are you willing to do what winning requires?

I once worked with a coach who would say, “You can’t ask for more than you are willing to give or produce.” He would say this to athletes and parents who wanted more - more playing time, more opportunities, and more scholarships.

He would give them the opportunity to do and earn more, and if they couldn’t produce at the level that they needed to get what they wanted, that is how he would respond.

Bobby Knight was the controversial basketball coach for Indiana and Texas Tech. Known for his fiery temper, Coach Knight threw chairs across the court, engaged in physical altercations, and made inappropriate comments. These actions, along with accusations of choking a player, ultimately led to his firing from Indiana University in 2000.

But he was also known for winning at a high level and turning his athletes into winners and champions through hard work and discipline.

He once said, “The key is not the will to win... everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” You can’t ask for more than you are willing to do. If you want to win, you have to be willing to do what winning requires; your actions must match your intentions. 

While the desire to win might be the initial spark, it's the consistent effort in preparing that fuels the journey and ultimately determines the outcome.

Question of the Day: What is one action you can do today or this week that will match your intentions?

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