It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. – Theodore Roosevelt Read the rest…
There are so many memorable moments from the Olympics over the years. When people who are the best in the world come together and compete, then this brings out all of the very best in people, causing them to rise to a much higher level in so many different areas.
But what happens when you get there and things don’t turn out quite as you planned?
I wonder what you and I would do in that situation? Would we sit around feeling sorry for ourself? Would we fight and get angry at the injustice? Would we accept it as just fate?
Or would you do something that nobody would expect? Read the rest…
You have to watch this video. Every time I watch this, I am inspired! I remember what is possible when you are given so many opportunities because it shows you what is possible when many people would think you have none!
When you watch this video, think about your own potential. What heights are you capable of? What records could you break?
When you think about the talents and skills you have either been given or have developed for yourself, consider how you are using them and whether there is anything that is getting in the way of what you truly want to accomplish. I am pretty sure that after watching this video, you will realise that the only thing standing between you are and your goal is YOU! Read the rest…
I used to play midfield as a footballer, so for me, I got used to this concept a long time ago. And let me tell you, when coaching teams (both in sport and in business), this is a useful concept to be aware of.
It is called The Assist!
The Assist is where you do something that directly leads to a success that you do not necessarily get the credit for. And the most important thing to remember is that there is always more of The Assist going on than people will ever be aware of.
The challenge and quesion I have for you is this – Do you recognise it and reward it? Remember, what gets rewarded gets repeated. Read the rest…
Ok, so maybe incorporating traffic dodging into your training is a little extreme, but I think Patches O’Houlihan had something when he got his dodgeball stars crossing the road and dodging traffic.
‘If you can dodge traffic, then you can dodge a ball!’
So maybe the guy was a little contraversial in his methodology, but sports coaches all over the world should be able to get some ideas on new training strategies. Read the rest…
Hold on, wait a minute! What are you saying? All these years coaches have been feeding me this mantra, and now you are telling me that ISN’T the case??
Well sorry to disappoint you, but they were wrong!
It wasn’t a huge error, but as you know in competition, it can be the smallest point that gives you the winning advantage!
‘So what is the correct saying then?‘ I hear you asking! Well, the correct saying is this: Read the rest…
This speech is one of the most inspirational pieces of writing I have ever heard. Having been in a number of such situations, on the receiving end of such pep talks, I know the energy and excitement such speeches generate. Enjoy both the words and the video, and check out the movie (click here for more details) if you get the chance!
“Refereee?!” We have all heard it, you hear it everywhere. Whether it be a six-year-old youth game, a high school contest, or a professional fixture, the one thing you can guarantee is that the referee will be openly questioned.
Rather than an incident in itself, this is often the sign of an excuse culture so prevalent in the game today. Managers will be quick to draw attention away from the failings of their team and onto a referee error.
England coach Fabio Capello was a good example of this. England struggled throughout the tournament and were finished off with a 4-1 loss to Germany.
Even hardened England fans admitted sound defeat to the old enemy, and England player Joe Cole explained that “we just weren’t good enough.” Coach Capello, however, chose a different approach. Read the rest…
Think back to all of the coaches you have had up until now. I wonder where you would be if you had this guy as your coach?
How do you get into the right state for your game? Do you listen to some music? Watch a film? Meditate? Sing?
I dont know what it is for you, but I know what it is for me.
For years, before every game, I would watch the same film… Any Given Sunday. In it, Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx go head to head as head coach and start quarterback until they both realise that they both have something to learn from the other.
However, I don’t really watch it for the story line, I watch it for the game footage. Oliver Scott does an incredible job of capturing the in-game essence that just puts me straight back onto the field, in a way that watching a real game on tv just doesn’t quite do.
Couple that with the soundtrack which is awesome, there is the player personification that really draws you into the character, giving everyone someone that they can associate too.
Whether you are a Willie Beaman, a Shark LeVay or a Julian Washington, in this or in any other sport, I am pretty sure this film will get you going, whether you understand the rules or not.
But this is not about what works for me, its about what works for you! Read the rest…