8 Words From My High School Coach That Changed My Life
Do your job, win this play, next play
I remember these exact words from coach Scott Williams so vividly because they echo the exact sentiments needed to navigate life.
As a 16–1 high school kid, I knew these statements were meant to be motivational and inspiring with the hopes to win high school basketball games, but 7 years later they still reign true in life.
Here’s a breakdown
Do your job
Life is simple sometimes and I think it’s important to realize we can only control what we can control.
Sometimes all we can control is doing our job. When coach Williams told us this on the court he simply was communicating to us to do our role on the court to the best of our abilities.
My role at the time was to create opportunities for my teammates while I was in the game in order for us to be successful.
My job role now is to create opportunities for us to acquire and manage buildings and companies in order for us to be successful
On a deeper level, my role is also to create avenues for my peers to see and know Christ
A role that I take on gladly.
It all translates
Whatever your role is just do it. Not only do it but do it to the best of your abilities and you will be able to live with the result.
Win this play
Coach Williams wanted us to focus on one play at a time. If we could win one play at a time we give ourselves the best chance to win the game.
Most people don’t realize that the process is just as great as the outcome.
You must win each play
For you winning a play could look like
Being 100% engaged in your daily meetings, taking your kids to school on time, or even just being 100% present when your spouse is talking.
And so many other things
What focusing on winning plays does is build good habits. Once you can get good habits to stack up on top of each other one by one you have given yourself a great chance to win the game.
What’s the game if you're not playing a sport?
Your life!
Focusing on winning each play is so critical because every play matters. Just like every meeting matters, every conversation matters even when you think they don’t
They do!
Next play
The next play mindset is one that has a very short memory. In basketball, you cannot get to the next play and focus on winning the next play when you are still stuck on the last play.
You have to have a short memory
You must move on!
Most people do one of two things when it comes to the plays in their life.
- Worry about the plays that could have been
- Focus too long on plays they won
When you give yourself the opportunity to focus on the next play you give yourself the opportunity to continue to battle.
Not focusing on the next play takes you out of the game.
Trust me if you are stuck on that person that cut you off in traffic, the waiter that served you the wrong meal, or anything of that nature you make it so much harder on yourself to win.
Trust me you won’ to take the easy wins.
Taking everything one day at a time and one play at a time and being able to move on quickly sets you up for victory every time.
Now, I want to note there are things in life that require deep healing and even counseling to get over, etc. I am not saying sweep these things under the rug.
I am saying control what you can control in the moment and remain as strong and as focused as possible in order to work through it.
Next play mentality!
Let me know what childhood message has helped you through life.
