POSITIVE REMINDERS FOR EXCELLING

With the NCAA tournament approaching here are some great reminders for teams

In Terry Orlick's book, "In Pursuit of Excellence," he shares some positive reminders for excelling. Here they are:

Always positive thoughts. Only positive thoughts help you do the things that you really want to do. So think to yourself, talk to yourself, and focus only in ways that will help you live and perform to your true capacity.

Always positive images. Only positive images of the things that you want to do or hope to accomplish will help you to accomplish them. So imagine yourself being the way you want to be, achieving the things that you want to achieve and doing the things that you want to do exactly the way that you would like to do them-with full focus, percision, and total confidence.

Always I can. There is no advantage in approaching performance or life situations thinking I can't or I won't be able to do this. Approach all challenges and opportunities thinking only I can or We can. Act as if you can, even if your are not sure that you can. This perspective will give you your best chance of achieving your goals and living your dreams.

Always opportunities. Opportunities are present in everything-to learn, to grow, to find something positive or of personal value, to know yourself better, to overcome challenges, to become stronger, wiser, more focused. Find the opportunities in everything.

Always focused. Only when you are fully focused on connecting with each step, each experience, or each performance can you live and perform to your true potential. So stay focused on the little things that free you to feel your best, be your best, and perform your best.

Always lessons. In every practice, performance, and life experience there are lessons. Look for the good things that you have done, draw out the positive lessons from each experience, and live those lessons.

Always step-by-step. You can accomplish great things by taking tiny steps forward each day. The step in front of you is all that matters. You are always capable of taking that one little step. Take that step, and then the next, and the next. This is the only path to your desired destination.

 Positive Reminders for Excelling: Unlocking Your Full Potential

Harnessing the Power of Positivity and Self-Motivation for Success

Excellence is not an accident; it's a deliberate choice. Achieving greatness in any area of life requires dedication, determination, and the right mindset. Positive reminders serve as valuable tools in this journey, helping individuals stay motivated, focused, and resilient in the face of challenges. In this article, we will explore the significance of positive reminders for excelling and provide you with a comprehensive guide to harnessing their power for personal and professional growth.

The Power of Positive Reminders

Positive reminders are not mere affirmations or feel-good slogans. They are potent tools that can reshape your thinking, alter your behaviors, and empower you to excel in various aspects of life. Here's why they are so powerful:

Mindset Transformation: Positive reminders shift your mindset from one of self-doubt and negativity to one of self-belief and optimism. They remind you that you are capable of greatness and encourage you to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Increased Resilience: Life is full of ups and downs. Positive reminders act as resilience boosters, helping you bounce back from setbacks and stay determined during tough times. They reinforce the idea that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success.

Improved Focus: In a world filled with distractions, positive reminders keep you on track. They serve as a compass, guiding your attention and energy toward your goals and priorities.

Enhanced Self-Efficacy: Positive reminders boost your self-efficacy, which is the belief in your ability to achieve specific goals. When you consistently remind yourself of your capabilities, you become more confident in tackling challenges.

Stress Reduction: By focusing on positive reminders, you reduce stress and anxiety levels. They provide a mental sanctuary, a place where you can retreat to find solace and strength.

Positive Reminders for Excelling

Now, let's explore some powerful positive reminders that can help you excel in various aspects of life:

"I am capable of greatness.": Remind yourself daily that you possess the potential for greatness within you. Whether it's excelling in your career, building meaningful relationships, or achieving personal goals, this reminder reinforces your inherent capabilities.

"Challenges are opportunities in disguise.": Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, remind yourself that they are opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace challenges with enthusiasm, knowing that they will make you stronger and wiser.

"I am in control of my thoughts and actions.": This reminder empowers you to take charge of your life. It reinforces the idea that you have the power to choose your thoughts and actions, ultimately shaping your destiny.

"Consistency is the key to success.": Remind yourself that consistency is often more important than sporadic bursts of effort. Small, consistent steps toward your goals can lead to significant progress over time.

"I am resilient and adaptable.": In times of adversity, remind yourself of your resilience and adaptability. You have the strength to navigate through challenges and emerge stronger on the other side.

"Every setback is a setup for a comeback.": This reminder highlights the temporary nature of setbacks. They may slow you down, but they can't stop you from achieving your goals. Use setbacks as stepping stones to propel yourself forward.

"I attract positivity and abundance into my life.": Cultivate a positive mindset by reminding yourself that you attract positivity and abundance. This reminder encourages you to focus on the good and believe that the universe is conspiring in your favor.

"I am a continuous learner.": Never stop learning. Remind yourself that growth and excellence go hand in hand. Embrace new knowledge and skills as opportunities to become better at what you do.

"My goals are achievable through persistent effort.": Keep your goals within reach by reminding yourself that they are attainable through persistent, focused effort. Break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps to maintain your motivation.

"I am grateful for the present moment.": In the pursuit of excellence, it's essential to appreciate the present moment. This reminder encourages gratitude, which can boost your overall happiness and well-being.

FAQs about Positive Reminders for Excelling

Q1: How can I create and incorporate positive reminders into my daily routine?

A1: Creating positive reminders is simple. Write them down on sticky notes, set daily reminders on your phone, or create a vision board with visual representations of your reminders. Incorporate them into your daily routine by reviewing them in the morning or before bedtime.

Q2: Can positive reminders really improve my confidence and self-belief?

A2: Yes, positive reminders have the potential to significantly boost your confidence and self-belief. When you consistently reinforce positive messages to yourself, they become ingrained in your subconscious, influencing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Q3: What if I face moments of self-doubt despite using positive reminders?

A3: It's natural to experience moments of self-doubt. In such moments, revisit your positive reminders to counter negative thoughts. Additionally, reach out to a supportive friend, family member, or mentor who can provide encouragement and perspective.

Q4: Can positive reminders help with achieving specific goals, such as career advancement or weight loss?

A4: Yes, positive reminders can be tailored to address specific goals. By reminding yourself of your capabilities and the steps required to achieve those goals, you can stay motivated and focused on your path to success.

Q5: Are there any drawbacks to using positive reminders excessively?

A5: While positive reminders are generally beneficial, using them excessively to avoid facing challenges or to escape reality can hinder personal growth. It's important to strike a balance between positive reminders and taking action to address real-life issues.

Positive reminders are powerful tools for excelling in life. They shape your mindset, boost your confidence, and help you stay motivated in the pursuit of excellence. By incorporating these reminders into your daily routine and embracing their messages, you can unlock your full potential and achieve the success you desire. Remember that excellence is not an endpoint but a continuous journey, and positive reminders are your companions along the way, guiding you toward greatness.

DR. JACK RAMSEY ON PLAYING SMART

Smart basketball teams play with poise. Smart teams never appear ruffled by anything that happens. They're fiercely competitive to be sure, but they play with controlled aggression. They extract the utmost from the individual skills of each player and then blend those skills into their team game. Smart teams don't beat themselves; they consistently win the close ones.

The fact is, I've never seen a championship team in any sport that didn't play smart. And while smart teams may not always win championships, they are always competitive. It's no surprise that those teams are comprised of players who think the game-who make productive plays under pressure and seldom, if ever, make game-costing errors. They consistently outthink their opponents. They master the game's finer points, the little details that almost always determine the difference between a W and an L.

"Play smart," says Jerry West. "Your brain is as much a weapon as your legs and arms."

The ability to make the correct split-second decision and execute a critical play consistently is a key attribute of a great player. Regarding the mental game within basketball, Phil Jackson says, "It's not how hard you play, it's how smart you play." I agree with Phil, with the caveat that if you don't play hard it may be too late to play smart. Smart players always play hard. It's not that great players stop to mull over a decision as to what to do next. They anticipate what needs to be done, which enables them to do the right thing.

5 E's of Championship Teams

As league play is beginning around country, the quest to become champions is getting more intense. I believe every championship team has these 5 E's in their DNA make up. Here are the 5 E's:

1. Energy (Passion)

2. Engagement (Focus)

3. Effort (Work Ethic)

4. Encouragement (Team Work)

5. Execution (Results)

Championship teams don't have three or four of these, they have all five. The reason is because they can't have one without the other. If there is no energy, then there can be no engagement, without engagement, there will be no effort, without effort, there will be no encouragement, and without the first four, execution will be flawed when needed the most.

Having these won't guarantee you a championship, but without them you'll be hard pressed to be champions!

LAKERS ASSISTANT JIM CLEAMONS ON WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2008/2009 playoff series presented different challenges, each team Utah, Houston, Denver and Orlando had quality players. In order to win a championship you must see yourself worthy of winning and achieving the goal. Talent alone will not get the job done. There are certain traits which are required, some more than others, but to name a few:

leadership, mental toughness, you need a happy community – good chemistry among the team, and you need to be able to make adjustments in order to accomplish the task. Each team has its own style of play, Utah executes very well at the half court offense, they run well in transition and they are a sound fundamental defensive basketball team. The Houston Rockets, with a healthy Yao Ming and Ron Artest, and Luis Scola provided a strong front court and two small quick guards in Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry, with Battier and Landry giving plenty of support. So it goes in playoff basketball, to win you must first know who you are playing personnel-wise and knowledge of their talent and ability within the team concept. The secret to winning is realizing that you will not stop them, but how can you slow them down that you can win the series and move on.

In playoff basketball, it is truly win or go home. Each team and player alike have to raise his level of play – to win and to be a member of a championship team. However, to raise your level of play does not mean scoring points. Knowledge of how to play is critical in order to win a championship. Players who win championships buy into the system and what they have to do in order to win. Players who win championship accept coaching and they realize that it’s about “we” and not “me.” The mental attitude that develops in the social setting around championship caliber teams is that is not how I act, but more important is how I react to the challenges that are before me. Each playoff series presented matchups that created multiple problems – for example with players such as Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Millsap, Okur and Kyle Korver in Utah - where is the strengths and weakness of the team and personnel that you are playing? This is the question that must be dealt with before each playoff starts and sometimes before and after each game – if things are not working out. If you are losing in a series you question everything that you are doing and why you are doing it. Not being successful breeds and questions – on the only hand success breeds confidence and momentum. Lack of success drains your energy – where success keeps you energized. It is all a mindset – championship teams can talk themselves up and turn things around and teams that do not have the mental toughness to overcome fall to the wayside along the championship journey. Teams that will win championships will have players that usually will embrace their roles on the team in order to win. Acceptance to the place you are “right now” is a mature look at life, it does not mean you are going to be at the same place tomorrow or the next day but this is what you need to do now in order to continue to move ahead. Championship teams see the big picture, you need workers to support and believe in the task. Willing workers and passionate people drive the marketplace to successful teams.

Over the years, defense has always been a major part of our success as a basketball team.

There are seven defensive principles:

1. Work at being a good defensive player, be ready, anticipate and work hard.

2. Apply pressure on the ball.

3. Limit penetration – stop the ball.

4. Limit post passes.

5. Seal the lane.

6. Contest shots.

7. Limit second shots.

These seven principles are what we talk about in order to prepare for games. In each series the questions are basically the same – the answers will vary. Some match-ups will not be in your favor, speed, quickness, athletic ability, size but a plan must be in place to deal with limiting the production (not always stopping) to win the series so that we can move on. In order to understand the plan of attack, strength versus strength, the team must see the larger picture and give of themselves to get the job done, not "me," but "we" mentality.

The process is based upon “risk” and “reward” values. Our defensive schemes are designed to bend, but not break – when teams get to playoff basketball they are usually sound (good players and teachers) at both ends of the floor. At some level this team is going to score points, what we try to do is limit, damage control the offense. The same can be said with unfavorable match-ups. This goes back to the first principle: defense is at times hard work.

Defense will get broken down and teammates must be ready, willing and able to give help. Knowing how, when and where to rotate and support each other is paramount for defensive-minded teams to have success. Defensive execution

is knowing personnel, contesting passes and shots, being active (quick), challenge the offense without committing fouls. Being aggressive without crossing the line. Offensive execution is built around spacing, player and ball movement and the ability to make shots. The Magic offense that we saw in the finals had a very good transition offense which put points on the board with layups and 3-point baskets and a post player who could dominate the lane area at both ends of the floor. By following our principles one through seven, we were able to defeat the Magic. Take away their transition points opportunities, limit the points. Solid pressure on the ball – make them earn shots behind the arc, no gifts. Fight the post passes and touches (lane catches and dunks). Limit dribble penetration, contest shots without fouling and limit their offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities.

Like most things in basketball, sounds very easy and simple things to do. Championships are won because of trust, individuals come together and they commit to each other. In the end, there is but one goal, who shoots and scores does not really matter. To win a championship, it is the ability to get a stop! In the end, defense will win championships.