Tuesday, September 11, 2012

REBOUND 4 SUCCESS: GAINING THE EDGE


"Don't push me cuz I'm close to the EDGE. I'm trying not to lose my head. It's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under."



Every time I hear the hook of the song "The Message" by Melly Mel, I immediately think of someone who has reached their boiling point. I envision someone who is so passionate about something that all it takes is one iota of temptation for them to give up or one degree of motivation for them to push through.


"It's been said by coaches and athletes that winning isn't everything, it's how you play the game." Well, I say that winning isn't everything to those who don't have an undeniable, unprecedented, burning passion for what they do." Often times, I've had players and former students tell me that some people win because they are "just plain good". Whether they're referring to athletes, musicians, entrepreneurs, coaches, ministers,teachers, mentors or older siblings, they often expect them to win because of who they are never once considering or even inquiring how they gain the EDGE on a daily basis.

We all have people who we admire up close and/or from afar. These role models are those who have achieved extraordinary fame, fortune or success based on their work ethic, talent, focus and drive.

How do these people gain the EDGE?

I personally believe that they interpret the EDGE to mean Extra Discipline Guarantees Excellence. Taking time and energy to discipline specific aspects of life will undoubtedly manifest itself accordingly.

Getting the EDGE is simply about studying the path of excellence then creating your own system to achieve it, maintain it and improve upon it. Ultimately, getting the EDGE is mastering one's space and time. Wanna get the EDGE? Try these 3 things;



1)Maximize Your Shot Clock (24 hours)
Objectively look at your current routine, write it down, then analyze the
productive and counterproductive things that you spend time or waste time doing.
To gain the EDGE you must drastically adjust your schedule. To get the EDGE your
time must be spent on things that have redeemable value. Reading, writing,
praying, meditating, studying, strategizing and practicing your craft/passion all
have redeemable value once you commit to and implement them.

2)Break Down The Film
Learn about the habits that your role model has adopted that allows them to be
more successful than you. Find out what they're reading, how much they read, when
they go to bed, when they get up, what they eat, etc. Find out who or what
motivates them to succeed. Take pieces of their formula, then adopt similar habits
that will help you gain the EDGE.

3)Call An Isolation Play
Those who gain the EDGE purposely set themselves apart. Commit to spending time
alone and uninterrupted in your quiet place doing the work that most people don't
want to do. Turn the TV and your cell phone off, close the blinds, and lose your
watch. Gaining the EDGE requires the removal of all external temptation and
distraction. After all, our brains are designed to be the most effective when we
intentionally focus on 1 thing at a time.


What you do now makes you good enough
What you’re willing to do makes you greater than
What you consistently do beyond requirement & expectation makes you excellent

Gain The Edge
REBOUND.RESET.RELEASE.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

NEW POSSESSION, NEW OBSESSION

NEW POSSESSION, NEW OBSESSION


31 days into the New Year and some of you are off to a great start. You’ve made an executive decision to commit to either trying something brand new or resurrecting something that was beneficial from the past. Some folks call it a new year’s resolution, others refer to it as a lifestyle change or even a habits adjustment. I personally like to refer to this in the form of a phrase/mantra; “New Possession, New Obsession.”

Some of you started out the year with unprecedented passion and tenacity and somehow have already lost steam, focus, and determination. What’s up with that? Why does it happen? Well, the truth is that often times we make promises to ourselves to change the world and ourselves simultaneously by adopting new practices cold turkey.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s very healthy to practice positive thinking, planning and self-talk whether you’re taking on a new lifestyle or throwing away another. However, you have to turn up the tenacity of your thoughts and intentions and transform them into consistent action. You have to truly be focused, clear, decisive, intentional, and proactive, but above all you have to be obsessed with the game of life before you roll out the bed and step on the court. Whether it’s practice time or game time, in order to take it to the next level you have to be OBSESSED with creating new results in your life.

The game of life is played one possession at a time. I often emphasize the importance of maximizing your 24-hour shot clock. With 2012 in full flux time will surely get away from you if you’re not OBSESSED with each possession. Within each possession your power resides in the decisions you make strategically or hastily. Even when you make the right decisions be obsessed with making the next possession better by pushing yourself to the maximum with no regrets, no shame, no fear, or apprehension. Be obsessed with minimizing your turnovers, be obsessed with making your team better, be obsessed with thinking this game, be obsessed with playing harder and smarter. Be obsessed with changing your New Year’s resolution into your new day’s resolution. Don’t quit until you succeed, don’t leave the floor until you’ve made your last shot, don’t head for the locker room until you’re drenched in sweat and you’ve exhausted your efforts and left zero traces of failure. Be obsessed with every opportunity you possess. New Possession, New Obsession. BALL UP TOP!

REBOUND. RESET. RELEASE.

Monday, January 2, 2012

OPEN LETTER TO 2011

Dear 2011,

It's only been 2 days since you left, but I'm feeling good about the last time that I saw you. Just like any other year you didn't slow down for me or anyone. You simply did what you always do;kept it moving. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm writing this letter. Quite frankly, I am wondering the same thing. The truth of the matter is through the good, bad, happy and sad you were right in synch with the Divine Creator. You taught me countless lessons about people, spirituality, relationships, purpose, money, life, death, and most importantly, time. No matter how anybody looks at you, you were consistent. Many people are glad that you're gone and that's their own personal battle or bias. I'm personally glad that you came. I don't necessarily miss you because in my mind, you'll always be a part of me. You've shaped me and prepared me for 2012.

If I could personify what you were to me, I would say that you were the Coach of The Year. Why? You showed me the schedule, gave me plenty of time to prepare and practice for the season and you also allowed me to pursue my dreams. You were extremely instrumental in helping me define my role on the team and finding my purpose in life. You allowed me to see which teammates were dedicated to the vision of the team and which teammates were detrimental to the team. You've allowed me to see what focus, perseverance, dedication, consistency and commitment will produce. You allowed me to see which opponents were easy to defeat and you gave me the resilience to defeat those opponents who were more difficult to defeat. You allowed me to use timeouts when necessary, call the plays I thought would work best for the team, and play through my turnovers, bad shots, and missed defensive assignments.

2011, you allowed me to play my game, but you encouraged me to critically and objectively analyze the weaknesses in my game so that I'm never I'm satisfied. 2011, you taught me that hard work beats talent and good enough is the enemy of excellence. You pushed me to extract the lesson from losing and to take pride in details of preparing to win. You inspired me to dig deeper and give more myself in my relationship with 2012. Reflecting on our relationship is great therapy. Through success and failure, each of the lessons have been infinite blessings. 2011, you've challenged and help me grow. You are appreciated.


Respectfully,



Coach