I’m in the midst of speaking to 4 sports teams in a 3 day span. I see hope in every room I walk into, but for hope to turn into fruition there’s a lot of work, resilience, team building, self interest elimination, role acceptance, and caring for each other that must happen first.

Players! You either put the work in or you don't! You either pound the weights or you don't! You either do the right thing off the field or you don't! You're either a great teammate or you're not! Either way, you're not fooling anyone...your teammates/coaches know!

Winning is a good feeling, but it passes, and what lasts is what you’ve learned. Winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point. – Pat Summitt

The biggest hurdle we have in building confidence is also the most important first step. To actually try. We’ll never know if we never attempt. Could we “fall short” as some might say or we might think - yes. But I don’t see it as “falling short”. I see it as “learning more”.

In building a true team the leader’s responsibility is to select the right people and talent. The teams responsibility: get to know each other, make each other better, think & play as one - not as individuals. Teams that do the right things usually beat those that do my thing.

Mistakes ….. failure. They’ve happened to us all and to all those successful people you have read about as well. You can “beat your self up” with the past or set yourself up for the future by how you respond. Admit - learn - new plan - commit - grow.

"If you love kids enough, you're going to discipline them. I can't imagine not disciplining kids; it would be then that I don't care." -Summitt Discipline is a coach holding you to a higher standard than you hold yourself to. It's something your coach is doing for you NOT to you.

Be great without being high maintenance. Show up on time, wear the right stuff, be coachable, support your teammates & give 100% every time you practice/play. High maintenance is hard. Coaches love low maintenance players who buy into the process. You’re what makes coaching fun!

When you’re around the best teams & individuals you understand why “attention to detail” and “commitment to consistency” is paramount. When the best go against the best it’s the execution of the little things and doing the little things all the time that become the difference.

Decision - Plan - Commit - Conviction! Make that decision that will allow you to make that change you have longed for. Then follow it with a plan to get there and give that plan your total conviction & commitment.

If we truly are the sum of our habits which ones do we need to build and which ones do we need to get rid of. The answers to these coupled with the disciplined work put in to accomplish them will end up being some of our most important work.

"One thing I believe to the fullest is that if you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves." – Michael Jordan

Mental toughness doesn't guarantee you'll win. But playing without it pretty much guarantees you won't. – Tim Grover

A team is headed toward success when its best players: 1. Are trustworthy. 2. Are the team’s hardest workers. 3. Are physically & mentally tough. 4. Want to be coached. 5. Are unselfish. 6. Make their teammates better.

Personal growth comes down to a personal decision. No one can stop us from working on “what we can” to become better than “what we are.” The decisions must have equal parts — consistency of effort, curiosity to learn, and a drive to become what we are capable of becoming.

The best teams and organizations have great communication skills and great listening skills. These both are founded on respect and understanding. Understanding that everyone is important and can contribute, and a respect for what everyone can bring and everyone can contribute!

When trying to build a winning team/organization it is important that leadership puts deep though to and knows it’s non-negotiables,. Equally important is that everyone in the organization knows them, understands them, and is willing to commit to them as well.

5 Ways to Win Today: 1. Control what you can control. 2. Let go of what you can’t. 3. Replace fear with faith. 4. Speak truth to the lies. 5. Believe the best is yet to come. ~via Jon Gordon

"The absolute heart of loyalty is to value those people who tell you the truth, not just those who tell you what you want to hear. In fact, you should value them most. Because they have paid you the compliment of leveling with you and assuming you can handle it." (Pat Summitt)