Doing nothing and letting things play out takes a lot of willpower. We like to think we have more control over our situations than we do so we like to “jump in” and “take control”. The truth is that we often have more control over future circumstances than we do over immediate ones. Immediate circumstances are clouded
Temptations come in many forms. It can be that donut that looks good now but won’t feel good later. It could be that extra plate of “bottomless” fries that gets offered after you gave into the first temptation of not ordering a salad. It also comes in the form of feeling compelled to do something when doing
In almost every circumstance the winner is the last person standing. This means aside from strategy, Xs and Os, resources and gimmicks, the most important common attribute that winners share is having the endurance to outlast their opponent. Playing the long game means committing to making decisions that do not sacrifice the future for the immediate moment.
Teams have to make a choice when faced with the reality of moving forward. They have to choose what to cherish. To cherish something according to Merriam-Webster is to “entertain or cultivate with care and affection.” Does the team cherish their mission or their tradition? This is a very distinct choice that cannot be mistaken as a
Great teams have the awesome side effect of producing great friendships. When teammates become great friends, they are motivated to help each other differently. They are not just trying to help the team do well but they want their friend to do well too. This enhances the team dynamic. Great friendships, however, can become a liability when
I have something in my calendar called “brain time”. It’s basically an appointment with my own brain. This is my way to put the same priority on thinking as I put on talking. I meet with a lot of people throughout the week and there was a day where I would fill every available time slot with
Something needs to change. Where do you start? Every great plan has to start somewhere and identifying the problems that need to be solved is a great place to start. Whenever someone shoots something, they have to find their target before they can aim and fire at it. Target acquisition is probably the most important step in
The grind can be daunting for even the most disciplined person who actually enjoys it. I am convinced that great teams don’t shy away from challenges because they are not shy about expecting hard work. Some people self-sabotage because they make the judgement that no one can handle such a hardcore attitude. I despise that mindset because
Great teams know that great chemistry comes when everyone has a clear understanding of the consequences of every circumstance. They understand that there is nuance to different situations. Everyone and everything shouldn’t treated the same because they are simply not the same. This is especially true of accountability on the team. Most people don’t like this, but
Great teams gameplan well but they also respond to unexpected challenges well. They immediately know what they can do and what they can’t do in the face of a challenge. Great teams see the challenge as an opportunity to do something unique. Pulling something like that off well always builds confidence. That shared confidence will also lead