How to Win
Wayne Gretzky and Practice
On Wayne Gretzky’s birthday — he turns 51 today — I always think of practice and of Gretzky’s father, Walter.
One day, when Wayne Gretzky was already the greatest hockey player in the world, he was practicing with his team, the Edmonton Oilers. Walter watched from the stands.
Afterwards, the two drove home together.
“You just wasted two [...]
Team Culture
Let’s start with a trick question.
Does your team have a culture?
Remember, it’s a trick question. And the answer is yes.
Whether in sports, in business or even in your family, your group has a culture.
It may be weak or it may be strong, but it’s a culture.
It may be positive or it may be negative, but [...]
Prince Fielder and the Tigers
Pursuing goals can be overrated.
Sometime they’re the wrong goals. And other times the way in which they’re being pursued is the wrong way.
In the case of Prince Fielder and the Detroit Tigers, the second case could be true. Fielder and the Tigers just agreed on a nine-year, $214 million deal, because team owner Mike Ilitch [...]
Daily Motivation
A few days ago, a coached reach out to me, said that her team was going through a rough stretch, and asked if I had any wisdom to offer.
I told her I had no wisdom of my own, but that there was plenty in this article from the Gold Medal Squared Web site.
Written by Loyola-Marymount [...]
Previewing Success
Lawrence Tynes did more than kick the New York Giants into the Super Bowl for the second time in his NFL career. He gave an example of a powerful mental technique that anyone can use.
“I imagined this last night,” Tynes said after his 31-yard field goal 7:06 into overtime gave the Giants a 20-17 [...]
Total Commitment
A chicken raced around the barnyard, spreading new good news. “Hooray!” he said. “We’re going to have bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning!” All the animals except the pig shared in the joy. The chicken approached the pig and asked him why he was so solemn when everyone else was so happy.
“For you,” [...]
Other People’s Mistakes
Last night on a flight from Atlanta, our pilot slammed on the brakes shortly after landing.
People flew forward in their seats. Bags crashed into the side of the overhead bins. You could hear the gasps throughout the cabin.
At that moment, you were glad you had done what the stewardess told you to do: fasten your [...]
Four Words for Great Leaders
Want to be a great leader? Your task can be summed up in four words, according to this article in Inc.
Aspire. Plan. Inspire. Execute.
“Great leaders do not aim for the easily achievable,” says the article, written by Matthew Swyers. That’s what he means by “aspire.”
The more lofty your goal, however, the more you need to [...]
Set Yourself on Fire
Years after his retirement, Hall of Fame baseball player Ty Cobb attended an Old Timers’ Day celebration at Yankee Stadium.
A reporter approached Cobb and asked him, “If you were playing in the modern era, what do you suppose your batting average would be?”
Cobb replied, “About .300.”
“Only .300?” said the startled reporter. “You have the highest [...]
What Successful Coaches Saw as Kids
Over the weekend I had the chance to hear a talk by sports psychologist Dr. Gloria Balague.
Among her remarks was a look at successful coaches and how they were shaped by their childhood experiences.
Dr. Balague said that when these successful were young:
* Their youth coaches were passionate about sport.
* Their coaches were positive [...]
