Presenting 12 Steps To Being A Better Player

Why do some players eventually “get it” and their performance remains consistent or in some cases skyrockets? Why do some players show glimpses of brilliance only to be run over by the stress bumps of a game? How can an athlete or a performer make every day closer to a “wow” performance?

I present to you — for your reading and “doing” purposes— the Diamond Dozen of Doing.

1. Autopsy the short-term noise dives.

A candid, no-fluff self-exam of what happened and the thoughts, mindset and emotions just before the crash.

2. Failure to feedback loop.

An automatic reaction to failure that includes you asking what, why and how and when do I get another chance.

3. Pay attention to details.

Every part of your pre-game, in-game, post-game and training time gets reviewed for pitfalls and clues.

4. Be a control freak and embrace chaos.

The never-ending journey to control one’s thoughts, images and actions in high-stress situations. It’s a journey, not a destination. Chaos is life. Those that more than get through life have this bizarre sense of enjoyment when chaos arises.

5. Be a WMD (weapons of mental dominance) warrior.

You can read blogs and listen to coaches and psychologists preach this stuff but without you owning it, practicing it and applying the “stuff” every day, the journey is to no where.

6. Identify and prioritize your weaknesses.

The great ones minimize their in-game weaknesses by maximizing their practice and training time in the areas where their deficiencies lie.

7. Personal over performance failure.

When you suck or fail, you still love you. You don’t abandon you when you need you the most. The great ones don’t define their self-worth based on a box score or a coach’s opinion.

8. All in or get out.

It needs no explanation. Either be the biggest participant in your own rescue or get out of the ocean. Either go for it or stop pretending.

9. What are you giving up to get to the top?

Sorry, it’s the “D” word again. Discipline. What are you giving up to have more time, energy and sleep to be your best. Discipline is the foundation to all success stories.

10. Process and patience.

You trust your ever-changing blueprint to achieve your goal and exhibit patience when anger and frustration would be much easier. You are not derailed by results that aren’t perfect or immediate.

11. Perspective.

You think you have problems or your life sucks? Turn on the news or visit a children’s hospital and realize your blessings. Every day is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.

12. Be a time warrior.

1440. That’s how many minutes in a day we all have to use. Those who enjoy life and reach their potential are masters at time management. They get more stuff done the right way than others, and they still have time to look at sunsets and oceans.

The Dirty Dozen. Bridge the gap!