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It's Not Whether or Not You Fall Down...

Details: Category: Motivation Motivation

Collegiate athletes work impressively hard. Even beyond the hours of daily training, many put in a commitment that approaches 24/7. Why are athletes so passionate about amateur competition? Perhaps it is because winning is fun and finding out how good we can be is, in itself, success. Perhaps it is being part of a committed team. The excitement builds towards the opportunity to compete for a championship. Suppose you are a runner and you work all year to compete in a 600 Meter race at the Big 10 Championships. This race, three times around the track, is basically a sprint. Certainly you would be well prepared and excited. The competitors represent the top runners from one of the top Division I conferences in the country. What happens if, just over halfway through the finals, you take a little sniper spill? If you're Heather Kampf (maiden name Dorniden), here's what happens:

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INSPIRING YOU TO INSPIRE OTHERS

Details: Category: Motivation Motivation

The way you walk in each day. That may not be a sentence, but it certainly is a statement. I am designing this blog to make your job of "walking the talk" a bit easier. Short articles. Short videos. Simple, powerful truths. Enjoy!

INSPIRATION: n. Stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special activity or creativity; to breathe life into

My coaching philosophy is based on this idea: the truth is inspirational.

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RELENTLESSNESS

Details: Category: Motivation Motivation

Coaches want leadership and toughness from their players. They get it when their athletes understand what it means to give their best effort one step at a time. So often, unfortunately, athletes allow the situation and their fears to keep them from giving their best effort. I don't know the athlete in this video (other than his name is Igor Plotnikov), but I believe he has plenty of toughness.

Normal athletes don't max out their effort consistently. They have an unseen safety net that holds them back because they do not believe that their best effort is always good enough. It is, if you define success the way Coach Wooden (10 NCAA DI Basketball Championships between '64-'75) did: the peace of mind that comes from knowing you did your best. Even with this healthy willingness to "fail," many competitors hold back until the situation is perceived to be particularly important: a big game or moment in the game, a rival opponent, or an "important" audience. Some "gamers" coast along early in the contest and truly put out their best effort only when they fall behind or it's close late in the game. Many others push at the start, then coast if they get a lead. Others quit working hard when way behind because they don't think a comeback is going to happen. Most athletes have a natural letdown when the opponent is perceived to be weak.

What Else Does It Take to be GREAT?

Details: Category: Leadership Leadership

What Does It Take to be a Great Athletic Competitor?

Aren’t You Curious?

Strength? Yes. Speed? Sure. Hand-eye coordination? That’s important. Mental skills like persistence and resilience? Certainly. The ultimate competitor will have these, but all are probably less important than...

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Coach John Wooden's Glue

Details: Category: Leadership Leadership

Patience and Faith Hold It All Together

What does the phrase "If it was easy, everyone would do it" mean to you? To me, it brings good news that you and I can earn a competitive advantage by doing things that most other people will not do. It also reminds us that the road to any worthwhile goal is going to be inherently challenging, even difficult (though different is probably a better word to use). So, how can we navigate these challenges? By giving our best effort one step at a time, repeating what's working and changing what doesn't work. This system is guaranteed to work...eventually. But alas, it's the word "eventually" that's the biggest problem for so many people, myself included. We figure, "I worked hard. Now show me the results." Unfortunately, life and performance in sports are not that simple. It takes an undefined amount of time for the formula of "try and try again" to bear fruit.

Teamwork Requirement: RESPECT

Details: Category: Leadership Leadership

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me? It means everything!

Every coach wants a team that plays well together. With chemistry, everyone has more fun, performs better, and handles adversity better. Any team with double digit members will have individuals who are not best friends, but there is that does not prevent exceptional team chemistry. What would make it impossible is a lack of respect.

Coach Boone, in Remember the Titans, nails it in this scene:

How do you get your team members to respect each other?

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