LOSING prevention

Either/or questions are the best in the nebulous world. I asked the high schoolers I was training yesterday the following question: “Should the dude who skips off-season workouts, excuse HIMSELF from the team.” There was hesitation and then about an 80-20 split. The hesitation must have been due to a grim realization that, “I may be that guy” or that “That guy or girl might be someone I consider a friend. I wouldn’t eliminate my friend from the team…would I?” I could see the teen-aged loyalty beginning to ooze. But these kids have known me for a while now and they know I’m after the SOLUTION. The solution to what? The solution to losing and ill preparedness.

I told those athletes that I’d ask a teammate to quit if he/she did not want to prepare. In fact, the youngest girl in the workout said, “Why would they want to be on the team if they weren’t willing to practice? What a waste of time.” This, from a girl who could barely walk and chew gum last fall but worked hard to be an impact player on her Freshman team last season. But those young people know the intoxicating value of the limelight, that kids will seek it while not being willing to pay for it.

See, I often like polarity and the notion of putting your teammate on the spot. Be the JERK. Can you be the JERK? In the same vein, can you eliminate yourself…be the JERK in the mirror, give yourself an ultimatum? If you want to be successful, you’ll need to have this power in your arsenal. Preparedness is 90% of a disaster, or so I’ve heard, meaning there’s more in your control right now related to what you will do or what will happen to you six months from now.

“BE PREPAAAAAAAAAAARED” – Uncle Scar, The Lion King 1995