"Unleash Your Potential: Preparing Like a Elite Athlete 101"

Learn how to prepare like an elite athlete, and earn a starting position!

The Power of Preparation

How do you prepare? Like a champion? Many athletes never become starters because they don't prepare like starters. But this principle extends beyond athletics; your approach to preparation reveals your values and beliefs. Those who believe they'll win prepare accordingly. The greats don't just prepare to win; they prepare to dominate.

When you witness the supreme confidence of your favorite athletes on the field, court, or pitch, it's not just about being the best. As NBA legend Kobe Bryant once said, "Confidence comes from preparation, so when the game is on the line, I’m not asking myself to do something I haven’t done thousands of times before. When I prepare, I know what I’m capable of doing, I know what I’m comfortable doing, and I know what I’m not comfortable doing. So in those moments where it looks like I’m ice cold or not nervous, it’s because I’ve done it thousands of times before, so what’s one more time?"

To master anything, you must prepare masterfully!

Micheal Jordan on Work Ethic

Question #1 - What Are Your Work Habits Now?

Truthfully assess your work habits. What do they look like? Are you watching extra film? Are you really a student of the game, or do you rest on what you think you know? Are you staying after practice to work on your craft? Do you only work hard when the coach is watching? If you haven’t reached the point where you don’t need to be motivated by any coach, you are still operating below your potential. Nobody can give you a work ethic! A coach or mentor can be helpful in guiding and directing you on which path to take, but they cannot take the path for you. YOU have to make that decision, and every day you have a choice to make. You can choose to build habits that strengthen your mind, body, and soul with grace and vigor, or you can go with the flow, accept mediocrity, and operate below your true potential.

Here are some habits to build to become a better athlete and student in life:

1. Put Extra Time into Your Craft

   • This can be as simple as coming 15 minutes before or after practice to work on your footwork, or technique. Though it may seem small, effort compounds into results. Focus on your efforts, the fun is in the effort. If you do this 4x a week, you already practiced an hour longer than your “competitors”. Do this for 6 months, a year, 5 years, and you will find that your only real competition is yourself.

2. Sleep and Recovery

• Ensure that you are taking good care of your body. Make sure you are doing mobility exercises and getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

3. Nutrition

• What you put in your body should be fueling your body to perform optimally. Avoid damaging your body by eating processed foods, and increase your vegetable intake with every meal. Most importantly, HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE! Drink water before, during, and after practice.

4. Show Up On Time

• Make a habit of showing up on time. Whether it’s meetings, classes, or film sessions, try to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the actual start time. This gives you ample time to settle in and secure the best seat. Who doesn’t love a good seat?

Question #2 - Do You Know What Areas You Need to Improve?

Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses? What are you especially good at, and what might need some work? This is where having an attitude of humility is instrumental in your growth journey. If you feel you know it all, you will never identify the areas where you need to improve. Having a coach who will tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear, is key. Ask your coach to be as truthful as possible about your performance and the areas where you need to improve to take your game to the next level. Your ego may take a hit, but trust me, if you can set your pride aside and just listen, your game will improve. Truth-tellers will always be more valuable than people who simply tell you what you want to hear. No matter how uncomfortable it is, seek truth-tellers in life.

Question #3 - Most Importantly, WHY Do You Want to Improve?

Your why… Do you know it? Why do you want to get better? What is your driving force? Is it for your parents, your loved ones, or is it for fame and attention? If it's the latter, chances are you won’t last. Your why should have an emotional element, so when things get challenging, you have a strong enough reason to keep pressing forward. Decide who you want to be, and start working towards it!

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Takeaway: Be Intentional About Your Growth!

As the adage goes, “Change is inevitable, growth is optional”. Growth is a choice! If you think you will grow simply because you are getting older, you are sadly mistaken. There are many older people who remain stagnant, and have not made any growth from who they were 20-30 years ago. The goal should always be to grow in some area and aspect of your life. Take hold of your destiny and where you want to go. Remain a student, learn, unlearn, and then learn again!

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