Remove the word Perfect and the notion of Perfection from your mind. In practice- be it training or scrimmage DO NOT yearn for perfection. Get back to the thoughts on Excellence. Take, for example, shagging ground balls; step back from the statement, I'm going to make every play- I'm going to be perfect". Instead approach as you would in the game; (1)What's the situation? Balls? Strikes? Outs? (2) Where am I going if the ball comes my way? (3)Time to set my feet and focus.
Now you may just be shagging Ground Balls with the Coach not setting up situations, but Preparation- to each ground ball- is an Excellent habit to develop.
PERFECT is a dangerous word. Used often in the Locker Rooms of Athletes. It seems to me it is more often used as the carrot at the end of the stick than for being something actually attainable.
"Yeah, well the Patriots were perfect during the regular season." Well, I would respond with a request, "Define Perfect." I would further state that the Patriots were not perfect- they simply had 16 wins and zero losses during the regular season. But did they give up a Touchdown? Did Brady throw an interception? Now this is not to denigrate their victories or accomplishments. They are certainly and amazing team and Brady is a Hall of Famer but the word Perfect is foolish. That year for the Patriots; they excelled during the Regular Season.
"And what of a Pitcher's Perfect Game?" It is Highest Ranking of a Pitcher's individual Performance during One Game. And.....did he throw a ball- perhaps not locate eve one pitch where he wanted it to go? Is that one mistake show the performance as imperfect? But the Pitcher still undoubtedly was Excellent.
"So, I take the word Perfect out. How is that going to make me a better athlete?" I cannot directly claim it will. But it will improve your approach and, subsequently, your execution. Don't try to be perfect. Don't worry if others view you as imperfect. Just be. At the Plate, against a Pitcher with Top Prospect written across his forehead, you will be amazed how this mental approach comes as a comfort.
Sports, often in youth, comes with Statistics. I got X amount of Points or I went X for X in my at bats. One can get complacent in that way of thinking. And One can get lost in the demands of perfection.
TRY to Excel in Execution and leave the rankings and ratings to others. It is far more important the Way One Plays the Game than it is the Outcome. Now, this is undoubtedly a hard way to get someone to think.
I'll leave you with this; Perfect may be the Notion of the Masses but it cannot be the Sole Direction of the Individual Player.
Up comes our 1st INTERMISSION.
Monday, August 10, 2009
PRINCIPLE II - Humility Before Honor
PROVERBS 18:12 - Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Principles I & II go hand in hand. You really can't have one without the other. To remain humble welcomes one to approach their performance (i.e. their failures and achievements) with Reason. To be humble I've often found is to attain the Highest Virtue. It opens doors OR-so to speak- removes the blinders. Arrogance and Egotism are counter to this esteem Virtue known as Humility. Do not assess your own greatness. Instead merely perform. Disregard the notions of Others on what you are- or how great you are- and BE. Be humble. Especially in the face of adversity- and even more so when you have achieved any form of victory through that adversity.
What is Honor? Is it excellence? Achievement? Is it within One's Self or a construct of Others' Opinions on an Individual?
HUMILITY: A Modesty in Self-Estimation.
HONOR: Of High Esteem/Rank/Achievement/Fidelity.
So, to be of a modest self-estimation (Humility) may better lead one to achieve a rank of high esteem (Honor). It seems fitting.
Now, lets examine this within the realm of Athletics.
Humility is not a virtue leading to Success on the fields of Sport. Many a known Professional Sports Star appear to have little humility yet they may have attained Honorable Rankings on the field (i.e. MVPs, Championships, Awards, etc.). These rankings are considered Honorable but I would question this notion. HONOR, the kind in which I am seeking, is displayed in character. That character succeeds not for notoriety but because of something deep within themselves that yearns to excel.
So hold to this; Do Not Pursue Humility by Your Ambitions for Honor - Pursue Humility inorder to Excell and Advance.
As Stated Before; to be humble is to remove the blinders. Nothing is so confining to improvement so much as closemindedness. Closemindedness by Arrogance. Closemindedness by Egotism. Closedmindedness by Impatience. All of these do what? Limit one's own ability to improve. It reminds me of that Savvy Veteran Wide Receiver Catching a Touchdown and Acting like he has been there Before. Because he has. And because thinking it is essential. Showing off and Boasting makes improvement therafter far more difficult. Don't brag and boast. It is what it is and nothing more nor nothing less. But do not do this for how others will perceive you but instead for your own personal pursuit of Excellence. I run the route. I catch the Ball. I score the Touchdown. I am Victorious- to some degree- but only victorious in that moment. There are an infinite amount of moments/plays/executions still to come. I must take them one at time- ever being in the now but ever attempting to excel. The play was of High Quality but it was not perfect. There is no such thing as Perfect.
Principles I & II go hand in hand. You really can't have one without the other. To remain humble welcomes one to approach their performance (i.e. their failures and achievements) with Reason. To be humble I've often found is to attain the Highest Virtue. It opens doors OR-so to speak- removes the blinders. Arrogance and Egotism are counter to this esteem Virtue known as Humility. Do not assess your own greatness. Instead merely perform. Disregard the notions of Others on what you are- or how great you are- and BE. Be humble. Especially in the face of adversity- and even more so when you have achieved any form of victory through that adversity.
What is Honor? Is it excellence? Achievement? Is it within One's Self or a construct of Others' Opinions on an Individual?
HUMILITY: A Modesty in Self-Estimation.
HONOR: Of High Esteem/Rank/Achievement/Fidelity.
So, to be of a modest self-estimation (Humility) may better lead one to achieve a rank of high esteem (Honor). It seems fitting.
Now, lets examine this within the realm of Athletics.
Humility is not a virtue leading to Success on the fields of Sport. Many a known Professional Sports Star appear to have little humility yet they may have attained Honorable Rankings on the field (i.e. MVPs, Championships, Awards, etc.). These rankings are considered Honorable but I would question this notion. HONOR, the kind in which I am seeking, is displayed in character. That character succeeds not for notoriety but because of something deep within themselves that yearns to excel.
So hold to this; Do Not Pursue Humility by Your Ambitions for Honor - Pursue Humility inorder to Excell and Advance.
As Stated Before; to be humble is to remove the blinders. Nothing is so confining to improvement so much as closemindedness. Closemindedness by Arrogance. Closemindedness by Egotism. Closedmindedness by Impatience. All of these do what? Limit one's own ability to improve. It reminds me of that Savvy Veteran Wide Receiver Catching a Touchdown and Acting like he has been there Before. Because he has. And because thinking it is essential. Showing off and Boasting makes improvement therafter far more difficult. Don't brag and boast. It is what it is and nothing more nor nothing less. But do not do this for how others will perceive you but instead for your own personal pursuit of Excellence. I run the route. I catch the Ball. I score the Touchdown. I am Victorious- to some degree- but only victorious in that moment. There are an infinite amount of moments/plays/executions still to come. I must take them one at time- ever being in the now but ever attempting to excel. The play was of High Quality but it was not perfect. There is no such thing as Perfect.
PRINCIPLE I - Approach with Reason
REASON: Intellect; the faculty of understanding/inferring/deducing
Ask questions. Ask questions within yourself. What is my approach to the game? Is it focus or confidence? Maybe a blend of both.
Often our view, as player or audience, is enriched with passion. Passion is good. But passion controlled and reason embraced is also a powerful approach.
To reason within the construct of athleticism is to self analyze. It is to examine one's technique and endeavor to enhance it. If my Swing is off I seek to improve it and there by improve Contact.
Failure in Execution is a Good Thing. Maybe not all Good, but good at least in the sense that it is an excellent starting point for improvement. First one must avoid harsh judgement and frustration. Embrace that which is suggested to you by others only by listening. Not judging. If another has a suggestion then assess its validity. It may be incorrect but discovering it to be incorrect is still to advance your understanding of your Own Technique.
If I miss a tackle and a Touchdown is scored it is, in a sense, a Failure. But it is what it is. You cannot change a play which already has happened. You can only control your approach and action to the NOW; the event which is currently before you. To linger on an imperfection is not improving. To examine, within the approach of reason, is to improve. And approaching each play this way is to form consistent/ongoing Growth.
In Golf, this approach is best examined. It is the 18th hole and I have just hit an awful Drive off the Tee Box. I have had an excellent round and I am eager to make Par to close it out. The Drive bounces into the rough, and yes, frustration has veered its ugly head. I wish to reach the Green in two strokes. My ambition drives me to try a difficult shot onto the green from the rough. Not likely to be done, but my feelings about the awful Drive linger and I pull for another shot. It is a shank- and I have an 80 yard Chip Shot ahead of me from the Rough Again. Damn. Frustration is building; Failure is apparent. But what failure? On in 3 was not my intention but it is my situation. If I approach this 80 yard Chip Shot still Lingering on the two previous failed shots I may clunk the third shot and Par is far more likely unattainable. What do I do? I disregard the "What If" and focus on the "What Is". I set my feet. I clear my head. I practice and recall my approach swing to bring her near the pin. Par is possible. But only possible if I recognize the NOW. I practice the swing. Crisp. I am Calm. I step to the ball. A thought to those past shots and a thought to the potential for my par. What do I do? I step back. I practice swing again. I CLEAR MY HEAD of what was and what might be. I step up. A glance at the Pin and back to the Ball. I swing. My eyes locked on the ball- the Clubs Contact- and Crisp contact. A bounce and roll......a ten Foot putt. Possible- but like every shot in Golf- there is no complete certainty. I set up for my Putt. Practice swings feel good- the slope seems correctly read. I Putt- it rolls- and an inch to the left. I miss. Yes a hint of Frustration. But.....It is what it is. I tap in my FIVE. Disappointment? Sure- that is unavoidable. But I must too ask myself- did my missteps on any particular Shot effect the next shot? Yes and No. A thought comes to about how I may Approach my next round. I will take it one shot at a time. The Score counts- it always will- but within myself the approach and the improvement is also of Great Value. Just take her One Shot at a time. Analysis is fine during the game- and necessary. Passion also has its place. But Focus On the Now is a standard and Virtue of high Quality.
By an approach through reason I have endeavored to improve my game and hopefully therby improve my score.
Like the Shank and missed tackle before it, failure will lead to frustration and insecurity but to be in the Now (not the Past nor the Future) can certainly be a road towards Improvement.
Ask questions. Ask questions within yourself. What is my approach to the game? Is it focus or confidence? Maybe a blend of both.
Often our view, as player or audience, is enriched with passion. Passion is good. But passion controlled and reason embraced is also a powerful approach.
To reason within the construct of athleticism is to self analyze. It is to examine one's technique and endeavor to enhance it. If my Swing is off I seek to improve it and there by improve Contact.
Failure in Execution is a Good Thing. Maybe not all Good, but good at least in the sense that it is an excellent starting point for improvement. First one must avoid harsh judgement and frustration. Embrace that which is suggested to you by others only by listening. Not judging. If another has a suggestion then assess its validity. It may be incorrect but discovering it to be incorrect is still to advance your understanding of your Own Technique.
If I miss a tackle and a Touchdown is scored it is, in a sense, a Failure. But it is what it is. You cannot change a play which already has happened. You can only control your approach and action to the NOW; the event which is currently before you. To linger on an imperfection is not improving. To examine, within the approach of reason, is to improve. And approaching each play this way is to form consistent/ongoing Growth.
In Golf, this approach is best examined. It is the 18th hole and I have just hit an awful Drive off the Tee Box. I have had an excellent round and I am eager to make Par to close it out. The Drive bounces into the rough, and yes, frustration has veered its ugly head. I wish to reach the Green in two strokes. My ambition drives me to try a difficult shot onto the green from the rough. Not likely to be done, but my feelings about the awful Drive linger and I pull for another shot. It is a shank- and I have an 80 yard Chip Shot ahead of me from the Rough Again. Damn. Frustration is building; Failure is apparent. But what failure? On in 3 was not my intention but it is my situation. If I approach this 80 yard Chip Shot still Lingering on the two previous failed shots I may clunk the third shot and Par is far more likely unattainable. What do I do? I disregard the "What If" and focus on the "What Is". I set my feet. I clear my head. I practice and recall my approach swing to bring her near the pin. Par is possible. But only possible if I recognize the NOW. I practice the swing. Crisp. I am Calm. I step to the ball. A thought to those past shots and a thought to the potential for my par. What do I do? I step back. I practice swing again. I CLEAR MY HEAD of what was and what might be. I step up. A glance at the Pin and back to the Ball. I swing. My eyes locked on the ball- the Clubs Contact- and Crisp contact. A bounce and roll......a ten Foot putt. Possible- but like every shot in Golf- there is no complete certainty. I set up for my Putt. Practice swings feel good- the slope seems correctly read. I Putt- it rolls- and an inch to the left. I miss. Yes a hint of Frustration. But.....It is what it is. I tap in my FIVE. Disappointment? Sure- that is unavoidable. But I must too ask myself- did my missteps on any particular Shot effect the next shot? Yes and No. A thought comes to about how I may Approach my next round. I will take it one shot at a time. The Score counts- it always will- but within myself the approach and the improvement is also of Great Value. Just take her One Shot at a time. Analysis is fine during the game- and necessary. Passion also has its place. But Focus On the Now is a standard and Virtue of high Quality.
By an approach through reason I have endeavored to improve my game and hopefully therby improve my score.
Like the Shank and missed tackle before it, failure will lead to frustration and insecurity but to be in the Now (not the Past nor the Future) can certainly be a road towards Improvement.
An Introduction
The Principles herein are a Philosophy, or Tao, regarding the mental constructs of Athleticism.
It is not a guideline or set of protocols to follow that ensure Victory on the Scoreboard. The pursuit is the Victory in the Mind. As such a victory varies within each Individual there is no One Answer for all. Each Man, and Woman, must take that which enhances their understanding and form their own approach.
Athleticism, when the mental and physical aspects within an individual converge, is one blade of grass within the endless plains of Human Existence. Where it came from or how it was formed is a mystery but it nonetheless is far older than even the Holy Bible. To examine the nature of Human approach within Athleticism is to examine the Human Condition and the Spiritual Nature of the Individual Soul. What is the Zone? Can it not be when One's mind and body are in unison? Where no thought dissuades physical movement and no action counters what is within the Mind.
The ZONE: where mind and body are one within the athletic field.
How can one achieve this Zone? It no doubt cannot be achieved All of the Time. One cannot always be in the Zone but maybe one can be in a constant state of mind where the Zone is more viable and attainable.
The Principles enclosed within these writings are NOT the answer. They may only raise more questions. They will NOT guide you to Victory. They seek only to expand Individual Perception and, possibly, enhance one's approach and execution on the field and in the mind.
Do not seek to be Perfect for you will only line yourself up to Failure.
It is not a guideline or set of protocols to follow that ensure Victory on the Scoreboard. The pursuit is the Victory in the Mind. As such a victory varies within each Individual there is no One Answer for all. Each Man, and Woman, must take that which enhances their understanding and form their own approach.
Athleticism, when the mental and physical aspects within an individual converge, is one blade of grass within the endless plains of Human Existence. Where it came from or how it was formed is a mystery but it nonetheless is far older than even the Holy Bible. To examine the nature of Human approach within Athleticism is to examine the Human Condition and the Spiritual Nature of the Individual Soul. What is the Zone? Can it not be when One's mind and body are in unison? Where no thought dissuades physical movement and no action counters what is within the Mind.
The ZONE: where mind and body are one within the athletic field.
How can one achieve this Zone? It no doubt cannot be achieved All of the Time. One cannot always be in the Zone but maybe one can be in a constant state of mind where the Zone is more viable and attainable.
The Principles enclosed within these writings are NOT the answer. They may only raise more questions. They will NOT guide you to Victory. They seek only to expand Individual Perception and, possibly, enhance one's approach and execution on the field and in the mind.
Do not seek to be Perfect for you will only line yourself up to Failure.
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