Commit or quit.. it’s up to you…
These words leapt off the page from my Times Union newspaper.. An op ed by 93 year old New York Times bestseller Harvey Mackay helped me get my mindset straight for the upcoming season. Yes me.. the Mindset Professional was struggling.. struggling to come to grips with the fact that I have had players inform me they won’t be playing this fall.. some seniors, one a phenomenal athlete.. and I’ve been between wanting to scream and internally debating how to convince them to be on the team..
Part of it is my struggle with rejection, part of it is the uber-competitive side who sees potential in just about every team I coach. Another side of me is filled with the regret of never being pushed to reach my own full potential.. I would love to have just one more season to play with a team- but that ship sailed a looooong time ago. One of the captains said to me “ I don’t get why you would quit in the season you’d be getting the most playing time” I told her she was an athlete.. competitive and driven like me and I had no plausible explanation,………..then those three words that shifted everything:
COMMIT OR QUIT..
Mackay goes on to quote one of his closest friends (and one of my coaching idols!) Lou Holtz.. Holtz says “you have to make a commitment to excellence” Meaning when you are merely interested in doing something you do it when circumstances permit: when you’re committed to something you except no excuses, only results.
So yes I am committed to my my team.. obsessively at times but definitely committed. I have a dedicated, committed staff consisting of my long time assistant and 2 volunteer coaches. And we will do what we always do. Push our athletes to best of their capabilities, dedicate ourselves to being the best WE can be for them.
Because I have been reminded that I’d rather coach 16 COMMITTED athletes than a full squad of people who are merely interested in doing something.
Mackay’s Moral- “ Commitment is the fuel that drives the engine of success-nurture it, and your organization will thrive.”
Thanks for the Mindset shift Harvey and Lou. Sometimes everyone needs a great reminder of who they need to surround themselves with.
Stay Tipsy and I will keep you updated!!!
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