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.

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.

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

THE LOCKOUT IS OVER

The lockout is over. I repeat, the lockout is over. Now, we can finally start the season. I'm not talking about the recently terminated NBA Lockout. Im talking about life's lockout.

What is life's lockout?Life's lockout happens when we play this game for the wrong reasons; Monetary Gain & Personal Recognition. Life's lockout occurs when we expect and demand more profit from management as it relates to the job we're doing. We've been selfishly lobbying for certain perks so that we can get what we think we deserve. There exists a preoccupation with the benefits that our fellow teammates and opponents have been awarded. Once we find out what they've been awarded with we automatically want what they have, just because. Naturally, we lock out ourselves out of the genuine satisfaction of doing what we're passionate about, we lock ourselves out of valuable relationships that we could have with our teammates along with other professionals in the league and we ultimate lock ourselves out of the arena because we've lost focus on what the true owner has called us to do; commit our work to Him. No matter what job we do, it must be done in the spirit of service that benefits those around us.

Today is Christmas and the season has begun. Christmas is coined as a season of giving, but every season we're blessed to play should be a season of giving. Regardless of the position we play on the team, we must properly play our role and think pass first. We've all been blessed with gifts that allow us to make a living when we should use those gifts to make a life. Our priorities are way out of line. We think being blessed is about our point accumulation when in fact it's about what we do to help our team win. That said, play this season as if your contract is based on assists instead of points scored. Give your time, talent, tithe and tongue to those who are in need. This season, enter each game with the goal of making your team better. Allow your teammates, opponents, coaches, fans and the owner to witness that you are committed to the future of the franchise and the profession. Every season is not about how you make your Championship Run. Instead each season is about where you make your Dynasty Stand.


REBOUND. RESET. RELEASE.

IT'S HALFTIME (PART 3 OF 3)

As halftime draws to a close and you prepare to head back out onto the court, there’s one last question that needs to be addressed;

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO WIN?

The immediate response that comes to mind is simple; play harder & smarter, but often times that’s not enough. You can play extremely hard, but just hustling isn’t enough. Don’t mistake motion for action. It is when you rush success that it blows up in your face. True enough, in order to win, we must have a sense of urgency, but that urgency must be controlled. Preparing for your return onto the court the following must be in place:

1.Hold yourself accountable first and admit what you’ve failed to do
2.Communicate the expectation you have for yourself and your teammates
3.Commit to your role on the team
4.Ask them for help before you need it

January through June has been what it will be. No do-overs. There’s nothing you can do about it now except prepare to do everything in your power to either enhance history or keep history from repeating itself depending on how the first half went. If you had a good first half, then congratulations are in order. Celebrate, but stay focused. Do your best to replicate the behavior that has brought you success. Maintenance is required in order to match good but deliberate elevation is required to turn good into great. If you had a bad first half then halftime is the most important part of the game. You must experience intentional amnesia regarding what went wrong, then start over. Do a meticulous self-analysis prior to the end of the halftime speech. Re-train your mind to focus on hard work, teamwork, and winning. Correct your body language in such a way that is contagious and conveys a message of a champion who is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Let the words that your prepare to speak challenge, motivate and direct your team to victory.

So as you call your team into the huddle, remind them of what the expectation is, what the focus is, what every member will commit to, and remind them the following rules:


Think the game one possession at a time
Systematically put together possessions that help build momentum
Encourage your teammates on good and missed plays
Leave everything on the floor.

Halftime is over. The 2nd half is the half that is the most meaningful. Return to the floor and expect and prepare to win.

REBOUND. RESET. RELEASE.

IT'S HALFTIME (PART 3 OF 3)

As halftime draws to a close and you prepare to head back out onto the court, there’s one last question that needs to be addressed;

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO WIN?

The immediate response that comes to mind is simple; play harder & smarter, but often times that’s not enough. You can play extremely hard, but just hustling isn’t enough. Don’t mistake motion for action. It is when you rush success that it blows up in your face. True enough, in order to win, we must have a sense of urgency, but that urgency must be controlled. Preparing for your return to the court the following must be in place:

1.Hold yourself accountable first and admit what you’ve failed to do
2.Communicate the expectation you have for yourself and your teammates
3.Commit to your role on the team
4.Ask your teammates for help before you need it

January through June has been what it will be. No do-overs. There’s nothing you can do about it now except prepare to do everything in your power to either enhance history or keep history from repeating itself depending on how the first half went. If you had a good first half, then congratulations are in order. Celebrate, but stay focused. Do your best to replicate the behavior that has brought you success. Maintenance is required in order to match good but deliberate elevation is required to turn good into great. If you had a bad first half then halftime is the most important part of the game. You must experience intentional amnesia regarding what went wrong, then start over. Do a meticulous self-analysis prior to the end of the halftime speech. Re-train your mind to focus on hard work, teamwork, and winning. Correct your body language such that it is so contagious that your teammates correct their body language. Allow your body confident and intimidating body language to send a message of a champion who is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Let the words that your prepare to speak to your teammates challenge, motivate and direct your team to victory.

So as you call your team into the huddle, remind them of what the expectation is, what the focus is, what every member will commit to, and remind them of the following rules:


Think the game one possession at a time
Systematically put together possessions that help build momentum
Encourage your teammates on good and missed plays
Leave everything on the floor.

Halftime is over. The 2nd half is the most meaningful half. Return to the floor not just to expect and prepare to win, but to work until you win.

REBOUND. RESET. RELEASE.

IT'S HALFTIME (PART 2 OF 3)

2) WHAT HAS YOUR TEAM DONE POORLY OR NOT DONE AT ALL?

Sometimes people want all the good news first because they believe that hearing good news will ease the pain and take away the impact of the bad news. Well, to each his own and to each coach his own. Often times we have to endure some pain and criticism in order to get better. In those moments of pain and criticism is when you discover what motivates you to play. As I write this, I think back to games in which I vividly remember starting halftime with the “bad news” first to remind my players of the expectation(s) we had for ourselves as a team and furthermore to reiterate the very fine details we reviewed, prepared for and practiced leading up to the game.

The halftime speech is a preliminary character exam, a gut check pop quiz and/or a dissertation of deference that’s worth 100% of your grade. Pointing to the shortcomings or areas of improvement are absolutely imperative. My question at halftime is never, “what’s happening out there?” Rather, my question is; what have you prepared for and focused on during practice?" When your team is doing poorly there are several things that possibly contribute to their poor performance;

Poor Defense- not protecting your goal, not communicating, not calling for helpside defense, not helping on helpside defense, and not fighting through screens is a sure fire way to lose sight of your team's goal.

No Hustle- someone can be more talented than you, but never let them out work you. The opponent who outthinks and outworks you, rules you. Hard work beats talent.

Poor Shot Selection-your decisions are your power. Recognize that deciding to take certain shots, including those in your range, aren’t meant for you take on every possession.

Not Sharing the ball- utilize your teammates in order to get a better view of the goal. Make the passes that are sensible and in the best interest of your team. Passing the ball is your way of asking for help. Involve your teammates and they will involve you. If u can achieve your goal alone, the goal is too small.

Unforced Turnovers- you’re not holding your dreams and aspirations close enough to your heart. As a result, your dreams are easier for others to take from you.

Poor Rebounding- you’re not boxing out and fighting for the very thing that you claim to love and want. Sometimes you gotta do the dirty work. If you fight for it will eventually give you opportunities to take and make second and third-chance shots.

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re the coach, the point guard or the franchise player you’re not above criticism. Investigating what your team has done poorly or not done at all during halftime reiterates the importance of expecting and preparing in the heat of the battle. Whether you’re winning, losing or tied success and failure leave clues. During halftime, I challenge you to turn wrong into redemption.

REBOUND. RESET. RELEASE