What one really must possess is FIRE! Call it a burning desire if you will. That’s precisely what Napoleon Hill has written about … the burning desire for something and the will to achieve. Read his work “Think and Grow Rich” to get where I am coming from if you haven’t already.
We can’t coach this … we can’t give it to anyone … we can’t bring it out if it is not there … this is what many coaches refer to as HEART. Athletes either have it or they don’t … yes it is absolute … it’s black and white. HEART is not a gray area. Here’s how I know this. Some days athletes don’t have great days in practice or games. Why? I can tell you why … HEART. When success comes without great effort, it is easy to have heart. When it takes hard work, perseverance or just plain old grit only those with HEART push through. Even the rough days are good days because with HEART it all seems worthwhile because from deep within the burning desire provides the fuel … the FIRE burns hotter.
Here’s an easy way to determine how much HEART someone possesses … take note of the number of excuses exhibited when a desired outcome is not achieved … also note if those excuses have anything to do with that person … or if the person says I have done all I can do. There’s the first clue … the desired outcome is out of their hands … how bad do they want it if they feel it;s out of their control. When the FIRE exists, people put outcomes in their hands.
The message here is coach your players to work hard at all times. Ask them to go harder than they ever have … get them to leave their comfort zones … encourage them to take some risks. The may find their HEART. Teach young athlete to NOT make excuses for poor performance … get them own it as their own behavior. Encourage them to believe that they have control over themselves and what they achieve. The will to win is exhibited in practice not games ... FIRE must burn constant!
If something seems like too much work … there is probably no FIRE!
Coach Eggs
