Keep the Faith
A mantra to get you back on track, keep you on track, and bring those you lead with you
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I don’t typically share personal stories here, but about three years ago, I experienced a profound loss – my father passed away suddenly due to acute leukemia.
While the event was undoubtedly sobering and life-changing, this post isn’t about his death. It's about a mantra he often shared with me. One that has stuck with me and guided me through difficult times, mistakes, and upheaval in my life.
My dad's unofficial life mantra was simple: "keep the faith."
Although it had roots in a Bible verse, my dad, not particularly religious, used it more as a guiding principle for life rather than scriptural advice.
The main point was clear – keep fighting your fight, stay on your path, do the next right thing, and believe that things will work out in your favor.
In short, stick to those convictions you believe in and what YOU know is right.
So, what does this have to do with a coaching basketball newsletter?
Well, it's that time of the year.
Playoffs are looming and as a coach, you've been diligently working to shape your team into playing at their highest level when it matters the most. It's easy to lose focus, especially when faced with challenges or when things seem to be going exceptionally well.
Whether you're struggling to turn the corner, riding a wave of success, or experiencing a roller coaster season, the message remains the same.
I want to encourage you to:
Stick to the plan: Stay committed to your coaching philosophy and convictions…the things you decided were going to guide your team this season and in the future. Don’t allow the siren song of the newest shiny idea to steal your focus.
Build with the long term in mind: Look beyond immediate outcomes and consider the bigger picture. Where do you want your program/team to be next season? Is what you’re doing now in line with that? Don’t sacrifice the long term for the risk of immediate success.
Accept who you are and strive to get better: Embrace your strengths and work on your weaknesses. You know your team better than anyone else. What is YOUR idea of success with the group you have? We all don’t have championship potential in our locker room.
Now, this doesn’t mean continue to beat a dead horse, keep doing things that aren’t working, and apply stubborn pride to things that aren’t going well.
It does mean you may need to take a step back and re-evaluate where you’ve missed the boat, based on your convictions, this season.
The temptation to abandon the plan, introduce something new, or just go through the motions can be strong. Resist these urges. Stay on the path, stay true to your coaching convictions, and keep the faith.
Perhaps at this point in your season, you've already deviated from your initial plan. That's okay. Take stock of what has happened and compare it to your season's commitments. If you've strayed, get back on track – and bring those around you back with you.
Most teams don't win their last game of the year, and not every team is destined for a championship. What remains are the ways you conducted yourself, the progress your team made, the foundation you built for the future, and the memories created.
A select few of you might have the chance to cut the nets down in March. To you, I say, continue to uphold the standard. Don't get complacent. Keep. Fighting. The. Fight.
As the season progresses, it's easy for teams facing challenges, players anticipating other sports seasons, and those who don't play much to lose focus. Bring them back on track.
Hold player meetings, organize unconventional practices, take your team to the movies, cancel practice unexpectedly, attend a college game – infuse variety and rekindle focus.
This post may not be filled with tactical ideas, diagrams, and strategies - and some may say it’s a little scattered - but after a few conversations I’ve had with coaches I consult with lately, it felt like some of you needed to hear this.
We'll return to Xs and Os, strategies, and program building next week, but until then…
Keep the faith.
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