A Coach's Diary

What is one thing I've learned this week? The most effective way to get people to pay attention, according to Donald Miller, is by telling a good story that they feel a part of. Donald Miller is author, speaker, and business consultant best known for helping people and organizations clarify their message. In his TED Talk titled “How to clarify your message so people listen," Miller said the key to having an effective brand that engages people is to have a very clear message and turn it into a story. He said instead of just telling people your story, invite them to be a part of the story by making them the hero and you be the guide. You do this by identifying a problem — their problem — and helping them create a simple plan they can follow to solve the problem. Finally, tell them how following the plan will help them and how not following the plan will hurt them. He calls this protocol PEACE soundbites. P — Problem : What problem are you solving? E — Empathy : Show you u...

“My life story reads like a script from Oprah’s ‘Where Are They Now?’ … Like many … I too have been lost in deep, dark places … and have only recently begun to claw my way back to ‘my life.’” - Briana Scurry If your life was a movie, what would the title be? Briana Scurry is one of the greatest soccer goalkeepers of all time. She played goalie for the University of Massachusetts before winning two gold medals and a World Cup with the US Women’s National Team. Scurry once said, “My life story reads like a script from Oprah’s ‘Where Are They Now?’ … Like many … I too have been lost in deep, dark places … and have only recently begun to claw my way back to ‘my life.’” Every person finds themselves in the pit. What you think and do in those moments define who you are. Have a vision for who you want to be, create a plan, and stick to it. It will get better with better thoughts, actions, and habits. Question of the Day: How do we rise when life knocks us down?

“When you are a leader, people are watching how you work. You have to set an example.” - Miguel Cabrera  Would people follow you if they never heard you and only watched what you did? Miguel Cabrera is a Venezuelan-born professional baseball player who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly with the Detroit Tigers. He once said, “When you are a leader, people are watching how you work. You have to set an example.”  Growing up, my coaches always taught me how important it is to lead by example. You have to be able to back up what you say by practicing what you preach, or you lose credibility. Now, I say more is caught than taught. When you are a leader, people will always watch what you do to see if it matches what you say. Question of the Day: What kind of an example are you setting with your actions?

“Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle.” - Sanya Richards-Ross If you knew you were going to lose, would you still show up and give your best?  Sanya Richards-Ross is one of the greatest 400-meter sprinters in history. She was a star at the University of Texas before winning four Olympic gold medals.  She was known not just for her speed but for her toughness, mindset, and competitive spirit. Richards-Ross once said, “Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle.”  The 400m is brutal. It hurts. It tests your will. What separates champions is showing up even when it’s hard, even when you doubt, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Your character is revealed in your effort, not in your results. Trying your best is a sign of who you are. Not trying tells a different story. Question of the Day: How can we keep giving our best—even when the outcome feels uncertain or unlikely?

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” - Simon Sinek Would you rather be in charge of people or help people? Simon Sinek is a leadership expert, author, and motivational speaker. His work focuses on helping people and organizations find purpose, inspire others, and lead with empathy rather than authority. Sinek once said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” Every team has a captain, but a title doesn’t make you a leader. Real leadership is about helping people do their best and be their best. When I think about the best leaders I know, I think about two words: Respect and care. They give and command respect, and they make sure the people they lead have what they need because they care. Question of the Day: How can you show leadership when you don’t have a title?

“The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.” - Bobby Knight Are you willing to do what it takes to give yourself the best chance to win? Bobby Knight — often called “The General” — was one of the most successful and controversial coaches in college basketball history. He won three NCAA championships with Indiana University, including an undefeated season in 1976 — a record that still stands today.  He once said, “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.” Everyone wants to win — that part is easy. But few are willing to put in the hours of hard, unseen work that winning actually requires. Championships are decided long before game day. They are won in the habits, discipline, and preparation that happen behind the scenes. Question of the Day: What does preparing to win look like for you—today, this week, or this season?

“You can do more than you think you can. You can be pushed to a higher level than you think.” - Dan Marino Do you have a tendency to stop early or keep going? Even though he never won a Super Bowl, Dan Marino is considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Known for his strong arm and quick release, Marino was a 9-time Pro Bowler and MVP. Marino once said, “You can do more than you think you can. You can be pushed to a higher level than you think.” To become great at anything, you will have to push past your comfort zone. To get faster, you have to run faster. To get stronger, you have to lift heavier. To get in better shape, you have to run until you get tired, and then run some more. Whatever it is that you want to do, you have to be willing to push past what you want — and then push some more. Question of the Day: What helps you keep going when you feel like quitting?

“I can’t control what happens around me. I can only control how hard I work.” - Mookie Betts Mookie Betts is an all-star baseball player known for his elite hitting, speed, defense, and baseball IQ.  Up 5-4 with 1 out, Betts led a double play in the 11th ending that sealed the World Series win for the Dodgers, his 4th championship. But despite confidently stepping up and making the play, Betts admitted he was “nervous” the last few innings, especially knowing how much weight he had on his shoulders to produce a major play. “That ninth inning, that was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been on a baseball field. Man, I’ve never done it. I never did it in Game 7 of the World Series,” Betts told the MLB Network crew after the game. “I mean, literally, I was talking to myself that whole—as Yoshi [Yoshinobu Yamamoto] was throwing the ball, I was literally talking to myself like ‘Be nasty, Mook. Be nasty right now.’” Betts once said, “I can’t control what happens around me. I can only ...