SEEz Oppty: Turning Vision into Victory

Have you ever wondered why certain individuals can spot potential where others see nothing but challenges? These are the ones who seem to have a sixth sense for sniffing out opportunities. The secret isn’t a mystical power – it’s a skill, and one that’s grounded in our very own biology. Welcome to the world where we ‘SEEz Opportunities’.

Spotting Opportunities:
The Power of Your Brain

Seeing opportunities isn’t an exclusive gift only bestowed upon a lucky few. It’s a skill, akin to learning to play the guitar or mastering the art of public speaking. This skill, however, focuses on your perception, and altering the way you perceive the world around you. It’s about examining situations from multiple perspectives and unveiling hidden gems of potential.

This is where the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) comes into play. The RAS is a bundle of nerves at our brainstem that filters out unnecessary information so the important stuff gets through. It’s the reason you hear your name across a noisy room, or why you spot a friend’s face in a crowded street. Your RAS takes what you focus on and creates a filter for it, sieving through the data and presenting only the pieces that are important to you. This means once you’ve set your goals and defined what opportunities you’re seeking, your RAS will work to highlight those opportunities when they arise.

But how do we develop the skill of seeing opportunities? It starts with setting a clear vision. First, identify the types of opportunities you are seeking. Is it a lucrative business deal? A chance to score in a sports match? A potential relationship? A unique travel experience? Just like setting a GPS before a journey, you need to define your destination before setting out to discover opportunities.

The Story of Airbnb

Take the story of Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, the founders of Airbnb. In 2007, during an industrial design conference in San Francisco, they noticed that hotels were fully booked. Seeing an opportunity, they decided to rent out their living space to those who couldn’t find accommodation. That idea evolved into Airbnb, a billion-dollar company. [For a more in-depth version of this story see our SEEz Opportunity Stories page.]

Once you’ve identified the type of opportunities you’re searching for, broaden your horizon and delve deep. Look at situations from different perspectives, ask ‘what if’ and dare to dream. The world is full of untapped possibilities waiting to be discovered.

Challenge Yourself:
A Different Lens for Perception

To truly develop this skill, challenge yourself to view your world through a new lens. Each experience, encounter, and event harbors potential opportunities. The key lies in priming your RAS to recognize these opportunities. If you’re an entrepreneur, train your RAS not just to see a product, but a solution to a problem, an enhancement to a process, or an entryway to a new market. If you’re an athlete, instruct your RAS to see beyond the game, towards mastering new techniques, fostering resilience, or uncovering a passion for mentorship.

Consider Howard Schultz, who, during a trip to Italy, was captivated by the country’s coffee culture. He didn’t just see a beverage – he saw an opportunity to bring this Italian experience back to America. This new perspective led him to transform Starbucks from a single coffee bean store into a global coffeehouse chain.

But recognizing an opportunity is merely the first step. Identifying potential is futile if you don’t take proactive measures to seize it.

Act Now: The Bridge to Success

It is action that distinguishes the dreamers from the doers. Transforming an opportunity from potential to reality requires action, often involving courage, dedication, and tenacity. It might mean stepping outside your comfort zone or accepting risks. However, as the adage goes, “Fortune favors the bold.”

A classic example is that of JK Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series. She saw an opportunity to create a unique magical world, but it was her actions – writing the story, persevering through numerous rejections from publishers – that transformed her vision into a reality, creating a billion-dollar franchise in the process. [For a more in-depth version of this story see our SEEz Opportunity Stories page.]

A simple framework to inspire action:

Chart the Next Step: Each opportunity demands a unique course of action. It might involve research, initiating a conversation, or jumping in headfirst. Regardless, identify the next logical step and take it.

Establish a Timeline: Specify a time frame for action. It could be immediate, within a week, or the next month. A timeline imparts urgency and curbs procrastination.

Assess and Adapt: Following your action, evaluate the outcome. Did it bring you closer to seizing the opportunity? If not, refine your approach and try again. Failure isn’t the enemy of success; it’s part of the journey.

The Art of Seizing Opportunities

Comprehending that seeing opportunities is a skill cultivated through intentional mental training, notably through harnessing your RAS, is transformative. Like any skill, it requires practice, patience, and resilience. However, the payoff is substantial. As you master the art of ‘Seez Opportunities’, you’ll start to perceive the world in a new light, spotting potential in previously overlooked corners and ready to seize these opportunities when they emerge.

Encourage a mindset of curiosity, stay receptive to new experiences, and challenge established norms. Armed with this approach, you’ll not only spot opportunities at every turn but also be primed to seize them, converting your visions into victories.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

[For a more in-depth story demonstrating how Stephen Curry made the most of the opportunities he was given (and created many of his own opportunities), see our SEEz Opportunity Stories page.]

Remember, opportunities don’t just materialize out of thin air – they’re identified by those with the bravery to see beyond the surface and the commitment to act. So, equip yourself with the correct mindset, sharpen your perception, and get ready to ‘Seez Opportunities’ that will lead you to success. After all, it’s not merely about what you look at, but rather, what you see through the powerful lens of your RAS.

SEEz Opportunity Stories

These three “opportunity stories” about Airbnb, JK Rowling and Stephen Curry demonstrate what it means to SEEz Oppty.

Story of Brian Chesky and Airbnb….

Brian Chesky created his own inspirational “opportunity story”

In the mid-2000s, a young man named Brian Chesky was struggling to pay his rent. He was living in San Francisco, trying to make ends meet while pursuing a dream of starting his own business.

One day, as he was brainstorming for ideas to make some extra money, he noticed that all the city’s hotel rooms were booked because of a design conference. An idea sparked in his mind – what if he could rent out space in his apartment to those who couldn’t find a hotel room?

This idea was the genesis of Airbnb, the online marketplace for lodging that has since become a multi-billion dollar company. Chesky’s story demonstrates all the key points in the concept of “Seez Opportunities”.

Vision to Opportunity…

The first key point was about understanding what kind of opportunities you’re looking for. In Chesky’s case, he was looking for a way to make money, specifically a business idea. He already had a goal in mind, which was to start a successful business.

Hidden opportunities…

The second key point was about challenging your own perceptions to uncover hidden opportunities. Chesky could have dismissed the idea of inviting strangers to stay in his apartment as crazy or risky. But he didn’t. Instead, he saw the potential value in providing a more personal, less expensive lodging option for travelers. This change in perspective is what allowed him to identify the opportunity that others missed.

Tool for spotting opportunities…

The third key point was about leveraging your brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) to spot opportunities. The RAS is the part of our brain that helps us filter out unnecessary information and focus on what’s important. By setting a clear goal of finding a business idea, Chesky’s RAS was primed to spot relevant opportunities – like the problem of unavailable hotel rooms during conferences.

Taking Action…

The fourth key point was about taking action on the opportunities you find. Once Chesky identified the opportunity, he didn’t hesitate to act on it. He and his roommate, Joe Gebbia, bought a few airbeds and created a simple website to advertise their “air bed and breakfast”. The idea took off, and they quickly expanded it into a platform where anyone could rent out their extra space.

The opportunity in continuous improvement…

The final key point was about reflecting on your actions and adjusting your approach based on the results. After launching Airbnb, Chesky and his team faced numerous challenges. They made several mistakes, but each time, they learned from their errors and adjusted their approach. They continuously improved their platform based on feedback from users, and this commitment to learning and adapting is a big part of what made Airbnb successful.

Brian Chesky’s “opportunity story” is a testament to the power of seeing and seizing opportunities. From spotting the initial opportunity to adapting his approach over time, he demonstrated all the key steps in the process. And his success with Airbnb shows just how transformative this skill can be. Whether you’re looking for a business idea, a career move, or a personal growth opportunity, the ability to “Seez Opportunities” can open up a world of possibilities.

J.K. Rowling: A Journey from Adversity to Opportunity

The backstory for J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is an incredible “Opportunity Story”

In the annals of literary history, few names shine as brightly as J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Her journey from hardship to extraordinary success is an inspiring testament to spotting and seizing opportunities.

The Struggle…

Before she became a household name, Rowling was a single mother struggling to make ends meet. She was jobless and living in Edinburgh, Scotland, going through a challenging phase that she described as being “as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless.”

Focus First…

Defining her focus was the first step in Rowling’s journey. She had always loved writing, with countless stories penned from a young age. The idea of a young wizard named Harry Potter came to her during a delayed train journey. Despite her personal difficulties, she recognized this as an opportunity to create a unique world of magic and wonder.

SEE what’s possible…

Next, Rowling demonstrated the importance of broadening one’s perception. Given her challenging situation, writing a novel might have seemed like a daunting task. Yet, she saw it as a path to change her life. She started writing the Harry Potter series in cafes while her baby daughter slept next to her, seizing every moment to create.

Rowling’s Reticular Activating System (RAS) was at work here. By focusing on her goal of completing the novel, she was able to spot opportunities in her day-to-day life to write, even when her situation was far from ideal.

Rejection after rejection…

After finishing her manuscript, she faced numerous rejections from publishers. However, Rowling seized the opportunity to learn from these rejections. She persevered, believing in her story and characters, demonstrating the ability to reflect and adapt in the face of adversity.

The opportunity she was looking for finally arrived when Bloomsbury Publishing decided to publish her book, primarily persuaded by the CEO’s eight-year-old daughter who loved the first chapter. It wasn’t an instant hit, but the opportunity had been seized, and the stone set in motion.

Opportunity in the US…

The real breakthrough came when Scholastic Inc. won the auction for the rights to publish the book in the US, giving her much-needed financial relief and international exposure. As she saw the opportunity unfold, she capitalized on it, working tirelessly on the rest of the series.

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series became a worldwide phenomenon, inspiring millions of readers and leading to a multi-billion-dollar franchise, including films, merchandise, and theme parks. What started as an idea on a delayed train journey, spotted and seized by a single mother during the toughest time of her life, became one of the most influential series in modern literature.

The Journey…

Rowling’s journey demonstrates the power of seeing and seizing opportunities. From identifying her passion for writing, to persisting despite rejections, her story reminds us that opportunities can come from the most unexpected places. It takes a clear vision, broad perception, resilience, and the courage to take action when the chance appears. It is a true “opportunity story”!

Rowling once said, “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” Her journey from rock bottom to the heights of literary success is an inspiring real-life example of seeing and seizing opportunities, providing invaluable lessons that we can all learn from.

The Inspiring “Opportunity Story” of Stephen Curry

May 10, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs conference semifinals round at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Curry is an exceptional figure in the world of sports. He’s a two-time NBA MVP and a three-time NBA champion. Yet, his rise to stardom wasn’t straightforward. His journey perfectly encapsulates the process of spotting and seizing opportunities, which has led to his extraordinary achievements.

Growing up…

Growing up, Curry was not considered the typical basketball prodigy. He was overlooked due to his smaller size and lean build, attributes that defied the conventional idea of a basketball star. However, instead of being disheartened, Curry saw this as an opportunity to redefine expectations and focused on developing his unique style of play.

Curry’s interest was clear; he wanted to excel in basketball. His goal was to play at a high collegiate level, aiming for Division I schools, but none of the top schools recruited him. Here, he utilized the concept of Reticular Activating System (RAS). He was determined to find an opportunity, he kept his focus on his goal, and in return, his brain helped him spot potential avenues.

Rejection…

Despite the rejection from top Division I schools, he didn’t let this hinder his vision. Instead, he broadened his perception. He accepted a scholarship offer from Davidson College, a lesser-known Division I school. This move was an excellent example of challenging the traditional route and considering less obvious paths to achieve his goals.

Once at Davidson, Curry’s game flourished. He was now seeing opportunities every day and seizing them. He became one of the nation’s leading scorers and led the Wildcats on an unexpected tournament run. His performance during the 2008 NCAA Tournament, where he led Davidson to the Elite 8, was a prime example of seizing an opportunity to showcase his talent on a national stage.

Doubted …

Even with his successful college career, when the 2009 NBA Draft came, Curry wasn’t a top pick. He was selected as the seventh pick by the Golden State Warriors, a team that had been struggling for years. Many doubted his ability to perform at an elite NBA level, but Curry saw it as an opportunity.

Once in the NBA, Curry began to revolutionize the game with his extraordinary shooting and handling skills. He, along with his team, transformed the Golden State Warriors from underdogs to champions. Curry’s ability to see this opportunity, despite the odds, resulted in an unparalleled career and a transformed NBA team.

Opportunites for Growth…

Curry continually reassesses his game, reflecting on his performance and adapting his strategies. He has grown from being an excellent shooter to a versatile player who can also assist, rebound, and defend, showing his commitment to evolution and improvement.

His journey to becoming one of the greatest shooters in NBA history is a testament to the power of spotting and seizing opportunities. Curry’s story teaches us that opportunities may not always come in the shape and size we expect. It’s about adjusting our lens to spot them, having the courage to seize them, and the determination to use them to the best of our abilities.

Indeed, the “opportunity story” of Stephen Curry is a perfect real-life example of the “Seez Opportunities” mantra. It shows that opportunities are always around us – we just need to know how to identify and seize them. It’s a lesson not only applicable in sports but also in every facet of our lives.

Comment?

Please leave a comment to let us know if these “opportunity stories” helped you think about how to SEEz Oppty. Were they interesting? If you want to read Coach Wheeler’s article on how to SEEz Oppty, click here.

Predicting the future…

How to develop Anticipation Skills

How are your anticipation skills?
What happens next?

The world of sports is teeming with a myriad of physical and mental talents. Among these, one invaluable trait shared by the greatest athletes is the ability to anticipate future outcomes—an aptitude to predict what’s coming next and respond accordingly.

Much like the legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky, who talked about “skating to where the puck would be,” basketball players can use anticipation to always be “one step ahead.”

The beauty of anticipation lies in its two-fold benefits. Firstly, it provides a significant edge during a game, allowing players to read the opponent’s moves, adapt, and position themselves better. Secondly, it empowers the mental fortitude of an athlete, fostering a winning mindset and confidence that fuels success on and off the court.

How to see the future…
Know where to look

In basketball, an opponent’s eyes often give away the direction of their next action without them even knowing they are doing it. Face-guarding is a good example of this. By tracking the eyes of your opponent, you can often see when the ball is coming toward them since most people track the ball with their eyes and follow the arc of the ball. In other words, they look UP when the ball is coming. This is the point when you need to take action, turn toward the incoming ball and intercept the pass.

Eyes and Feet:
Know what to look for.

Aside from your opponent’s eyes, you can also get information based on their footwork (where are going to go) as well as the way they handle the ball (is it on the right or left side?). These hints can tell you what they are most likely going to do.

Take Action:
Seeing is worthless without Action.

Knowing what someone will do is worthless without doing something about it. You could challenge the movement or intercept the pass. In any case, if you anticipate what’s going to happen and do nothing, it’s effectively the same as not knowing.

Observe at all times:
Practice observation skills.

When you are sitting on the bench, pay close attention to players that you may encounter when you get in the game. How do they move? Do they have any habits that you can manipulate so they “give” you an advantage?

You can improve your “observation skills” in practice whether you are scrimmaging or just doing drills. Instead of just standing around between your turns doing drills, focus on one player on your team and see if you can predict what they will do next. What’s their favorite move? How could you predict when they will use it ? (Or what could you do to cause them to use it?)

Observation is like many other skills… it gets better the more you use it.

Anticipation – Timing and Rhythm:
When will it happen?

As you observe your target opponent, take a mental note of their timing and the rhythm that they use when performing “their move”. As a defender, if you can disrupt their rhythm, it’s very likely that they will commit an offensive foul or at least be uncomfortable if they force up a shot. Pay attention to what they do over and over again. Do they always spin a certain way when they dribble into traffic? Do they always cross over to their other hand when you challenge them at a certain spot on the floor?

Video examples of defensive anticipation…
Link to Youtube video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz_GyEf9eBM

Rules and Mechanics:
The ref’s can help you win!

The power of anticipation is also closely linked with a profound understanding of the game’s rules and mechanics. By mastering the fundamentals of basketball, players can better predict the game’s flow, ascertaining when to make critical moves such as stealing a pass, blocking a shot, or positioning for a rebound.

For example, does your opponent always take the ball out of bounds the same way? With the same type of pass to the same person? Can you position yourself such that they do not see you as a threat but you can still steal the ball?

Drills that simulate particular situations such as sideline out of bounds, baseline out of bounds or a trapping defense are another effective way to nurture your anticipation skills. These practice drills, mirroring actual game situations, can help athletes predict outcomes and react swiftly under pressure. Simulations also encourage players to utilize their instinct, another critical aspect of anticipation. Once you know where the next pass is going to go, it’s a relatively simple task to figure out a way to steal the ball.

Be Ready:
Are You Physically Prepared

Achieving and maintaining physical fitness plays an underrated role in fostering anticipation. The faster and more agile a player, the better they can implement their anticipatory decisions. High-level fitness allows a more efficient execution of anticipated moves, creating more opportunities for scoring and defending. Are you ready to act on the future actions that you see developing?

Lastly, anticipation also hinges on mental strength. As you know if you follow this blog on a regular basis or have heard Coach Wheeler speak at your basketball camp, developing a winning mindset demands resilience, focus, and confidence. It requires the willpower to take calculated risks based on predicted outcomes plus the knowledge that your team will back you up when the risky action doesn’t pay off. And it’s this mindset that often distinguishes an exceptional player from a good one… and a good team from a great one.

Anticipation is more than just a skill; it’s a potent combination of observation, understanding, practice, physical fitness, and a winning mindset. It’s the ability to see the future in the present, to analyze and execute with precision. For the aspiring basketball player, cultivating anticipation isn’t just about being one step ahead, it’s about establishing a foundation for success, equipping oneself with a competitive edge that transcends the boundaries of the court.

Finally…

Remember, basketball, like life, is a game of anticipation. It’s about expecting the unexpected, pre-empting the next move, and consistently striving for excellence. As Wayne Gretzky aptly stated, “skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” Anticipate your future, and be prepared to meet it head-on.

Some Books Related to this article…

Anticipate: The Art of Leading by Looking Ahead” by Rob-Jan de Jong
This book provides insight into how leaders can adopt forward-thinking approaches to anticipate the future and make effective decisions, a concept that can be applied to anticipating in sports.

“Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” by Gary Mack and David Casstevens
Offers practical psychological strategies to boost mental stamina and enhance athletic performance. It dives into the importance of mental fortitude and visualization, essential for athletes building anticipation skills.

“Thinking Basketball” by Ben Taylor
A guide that challenges traditional basketball wisdom, prompting players to think about the game more deeply. It emphasizes the role of game intelligence in basketball.

“Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable” by Tim S. Grover
Authored by the legendary trainer of athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, this book explores what it takes to excel in sports, emphasizing mental fortitude and a winning mindset.

“The Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive” by Jim Afremow
This book explores how the mental game influences athletic performance. It emphasizes the importance of anticipation, resilience, and a winning mindset.


Inspirational Quotes related to this article…

“The key to the future lies in the ability to anticipate it.” – Deepak Chopra

“What counts isn’t the frame, it’s what you put in it.” – Otto Preminger, highlighting the importance of content (or action) over structure (or planning).

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan, emphasizing resilience.

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan, referring to the power of visualization.

“Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.” – Kobe Bryant

“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” – Aristotle (via “The Big Aristotle”, Shaquille O’Neal)

“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” – Michael Jordan, encouraging athletes to love the game and find joy in playing.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

“If you want to look good in front of thousands, you have to outwork thousands in front of nobody.” – Damian Lillard, discussing the value of practice.

Please leave comment below and let Coach Wheeler know what you thought about this article.

Perception is Reality:

In the 1980s, the American political strategist Lee Atwater said simply and succinctly: “Perception is reality”.

Perception is reality – this three-word phrase carries profound significance. It is the lens through which we view our world, shaping our understanding of ourselves, the people around us, and society at large. It is not just a point of view, but a fundamental truth that influences our actions, reactions, and ultimately, our results. As we embark on the journey to winning, we must first triumph over the battleground of perception.

Winning the Inner Game

This chapter explores the three pillars of perception – Perception of others in our life, Perception of you as created within society/social media, and Perception of self. We’ll learn from the wisdom of thought leaders like Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Jordan Peterson, Geno Auriemma, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, and John Wooden, drawing upon their writings and speeches to enlighten our understanding.

The Power of Your Tribe:
Perception of Others in Your Life

Perception is reality

In the quest for winning, the role of those around us cannot be overstated. As the legendary Jim Rohn observed, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This reality showcases the transformative power of our immediate social circle – their perceptions can significantly shape our personal reality. It’s a phenomenon of social mirroring, wherein we unconsciously adopt the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of those closest to us.

The charismatic life coach Tony Robbins emphasizes the connection between the quality of our lives and the expectations of our peer group. We are deeply influenced, consciously and unconsciously, by their perceptions and expectations.

So, how can we leverage this reality? Be intentional about the company you keep. Seek out those who inspire you, who push you to grow. Yet, maintain your uniqueness. Absorb the positive, let the negative flow past. Remember, you are not merely a reflection of others’ perceptions – you are the artist of your own reality.

The Digital Persona:
Perception of You Created Within Society/Social Media

Social Media Perception is reality

As we navigate the digital age, the perception of us within society and on social media has taken on a new dimension. It’s an arena where perception can often eclipse reality. This phenomenon reminds us of the wisdom imparted by John Wooden, the exceptional basketball coach, who said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.”

Today, our society shapes a narrative, a brand of ‘you.’ Social media platforms magnify this perception, often blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Robbins suggests, “It’s not about the goal. It’s about growing to become the person that can accomplish that goal.” Society and social media can either facilitate or hinder this growth.

How can we navigate this new digital reality? Remember, you are more than your online persona. Authenticity resonates. Stand for your values, share not just your triumphs but also your trials. Use these platforms to inspire, to learn, and to narrate your own unique journey. You are the author of your story, society, and social media are just the platforms.

The Inner Self:
Perception of Who You Are

What do you see when you look in the mirror every morning?

Jordan Peterson, a noted psychologist, preaches the importance of putting your house in order before criticizing the world. This advice extends to our perception as well. Our self-perception lays the foundation of our reality. It’s the prism through which we view and interpret the world.

However, we often fall into the trap of becoming our own harshest critics. This skewed self-perception can create a harsher reality than what truly exists. Geno Auriemma, a renowned basketball coach, aptly said, “What you permit, you promote. What you allow, you encourage.” If we permit a distorted self-perception, we promote a distorted reality.

How can we adjust this perception? Robbins proposes changing our strategy. Understand that you are a work in progress. Recognize your flaws, but celebrate your strengths. Own your mistakes, but also revel in your victories. The pursuit is not for perfection but for progression. By embracing our complexities, we start altering the perception of self.

Overcoming Frustration

Overcome your frustration by changing your perception of reality

Embarking on the journey of changing perception isn’t easy. It’s fraught with frustrations and obstacles. But as Robbins advises, “Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions.” Frustrations are not walls, they are mirrors. They reflect what we need to understand about our perceptions and ourselves.

John Wooden’s philosophy adds a powerful perspective to dealing with frustrations – “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” When faced with frustration, focus on your strengths and abilities. Transform frustrations into growth opportunities.

Barack Obama’s wisdom fits here beautifully. He once said, “Change is never easy, but always possible.” Changing perceptions is no different. It’s a journey filled with challenges, but the destination makes the journey worthwhile.

Abraham Lincoln’s statement provides another layer of insight. He said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” We can apply this to our perceptions. We can shape our future by consciously molding our perceptions today.

Wrap UP

Pick the facts you want and reinforce them in everything you do

“Perception is reality.” This powerful statement carries immense implications for our journey towards winning. However, perception is not fixed. Like a river, it is fluid, adapting and evolving with time. It is influenced by our experiences and in turn, influences our reality.

Navigating the journey of perception may seem like traversing a complex maze, but it is through this maze that we come to understand ourselves and our world. Every twist, every turn, every dead-end, and every clear path offers lessons for growth.

Embark on this journey with courage, patience, and resilience. For it is through understanding and molding our perceptions that we earn our victories, not just in the world outside, but most importantly, in the battleground within. In the end, perception isn’t just reality, it’s the foundation upon which our winning is built and ultimately, earned.

What is your experience?
Please share in the comments!

Please leave a comment below and let us know your experiences with the “Perception is Reality” concept in your life, good or bad. It will make our website more interesting and we would really appreciate it!

Additional Resources related to
“Perception is Reality”….

Tony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within – This book delves deep into the concept of personal perception and provides actionable steps on how to harness and change our perceptions. You can look for it on Amazon or other book-selling platforms.

Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos– Peterson explores the importance of self-perception and self-improvement. This book can be found on multiple platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. [The hardcover version is, at the time of this writing, selling for less than $15 on Amazon.com.]

Jim Rohn‘s 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness” – This book presents strategies on how to better navigate the influence of others’ perceptions in your life.

John Wooden‘s “Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court” – This book provides insights into how society’s perception of an individual can influence their actions.

The Obama White House Archives – On this website, you can find many speeches where Barack Obama discusses change and overcoming adversity.

Geno Auriemma’s Interviews and Speeches – Auriemma often speaks about self-perception and leadership in sports. His interviews and speeches can be found on various sports news websites and video-sharing platforms like YouTube.

Lincoln’s Letters and Speeches – Abraham Lincoln’s letters and speeches are insightful, many of which discuss the power of self-creation and shaping one’s future. These can be found on academic databases or dedicated historical sites.

Other points of view:

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain – This book provides a contrasting view on how perception is influenced by introverted versus extroverted personality traits.

The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr – This book discusses the impact of the internet (including social media) on our minds, offering a different perspective on the influence of digital platforms on our self-perception and reality.

the “Myth” of Talent

I dislike the whole concept of “talent”. It assumes that some people have it and others do not. I believe that everyone is different and, for some people, “talent” may be buried or unseen for years or decades. Skill, on the other hand, is something that is always available for improvement. It is easy to see where you stand in terms of specific skills. On the other hand, the amount of “talent”, or even “potential talent” you have is difficult to determine precisely.

The fixed vs. growth mindset
Let’s start by saying that I am a firm believer in the growth mindset. Psychologist Carol Dweck wrote a book that said individuals can possess either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset believe that abilities are inherent, fixed traits that cannot be significantly developed. On the other hand, individuals with a growth mindset understand skills and abilities can be cultivated. You can grow your abilities through dedication, effort, and learning.

This mindset dichotomy has far-reaching implications for the perception of talent. Some argue that talent is an innate, predetermined quality that sets individuals apart. The concept of a growth mindset challenges this notion. By emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, practice, and resilience you can develop your skills to their full potential. By accepting a growth mindset, individuals can tap into their capacity for growth. This can unlock your true potential, blurring the lines between talent and skill.

The Skill Stack:

In the ongoing debate between skill and talent, one concept that challenges the conventional understanding is the “skill stack.” This is a term coined by the renowned cartoonist and author Scott Adams. The skill stack refers to the combination of various skills that an individual possesses. Rather than focusing solely on innate talent or singular expertise, the skill stack emphasizes the value of acquiring a diverse range of skills and leveraging them in unique ways.

According to Adams, the skill stack is like building a personal inventory of abilities that, when combined, create a unique advantage in the professional world. By developing a collection of skills, even if they are not individually exceptional, individuals can create a distinctive skill set that sets them apart from others. It’s a concept that challenges the notion that talent alone determines success and highlights the power of deliberate skill acquisition.

The skill stack approach opens up opportunities for individuals who may not possess a specific talent but are willing to invest time and effort into developing multiple complementary skills. Rather than relying on a single outstanding ability, individuals can tap into the potential of their skill stack, combining their strengths to tackle complex problems and adapt to changing environments. This perspective challenges the traditional belief that success is predetermined by talent, suggesting that the path to success lies in intentionally cultivating and combining a broad range of skills.

By embracing the skill stack mindset, individuals can actively pursue learning and acquiring new skills, constantly expanding their repertoire. This approach allows for continuous growth and adaptability, enabling individuals to navigate diverse challenges and seize opportunities in an ever-changing world. The skill stack concept shifts the focus from fixed abilities to the development of a versatile skill set, ultimately empowering individuals to create their own unique paths to success.

Talent is just the most visible part of your skill stack. It’s what is on top of the stack. It does not mean that you don’t have other, perhaps even more impressive, “talents” or undeveloped skills. It is just visible… now.

Talent is what you make of it
How old was Michael Jordan when he first dunked in a game? (see the video below) What if he never practiced after the first time? Would he have made it to the NBA? Would he win 6 NBA championships? Probably not.

You may see a glimpse of your talent early in your life. However, if it is not developed through hard work, learning your craft and attention to details, you will never achieve your highest potential.

In summary, the skill stack mentality challenges the myth of talent. By highlighting the acquisition and combination of diverse skills, you will be able to achieve your highest potential. Success is not solely determined by the abilities you were born with but rather by the deliberate cultivation of a varied skill set. By embracing the skill stack mentality approach, you can unlock your full potential, adapt to new circumstances, and carve out your own path to success in a dynamic and competitive world.

Mental Management – Start Training Your Brain

I just listened to a couple great podcasts about Mental Management (here are the links… Trail Runner Nation podcast and Brandon Webb’s podcast). Mental Management is a way to train your brain for high performance developed by Olympic Gold Medalist Lanny Bassham and if you have not read it yet you might want to read this previous post which includes an excerpt on Mental Management from Brandon Webb’s book “Red Circle”.

This is what I picked up
about Mental Management
from the podcasts…

There are three parts to our mental processes. They are the conscious, subconscious and the often overlooked self-image. The conscious is where we “think our thoughts”. The subconscious is where our skills are embedded (and much of our programming such as our values and beliefs are stored). The Self Image, according to Lanny Bassham, is often missed or overlooked.

A champion has a strong self image which means that they have confidence in their ability to perform at a high level during competition.

How do I build a strong self image?

At any moment, your self image is either becoming stronger or weaker based on the inputs that are received. Inputs might come from your conscious mind (the thoughts you think) or they may come from external sources such as family / friends / coaches or media. These inputs might say “You aren’t good enough.” or “You can do it.” but the key is which inputs are ACCEPTED! We have the ability to program our self image based on the thoughts that we accept and which ones we challenge.

Mental Management by Lanny Bassham

How Lanny lost the gold medal…

“Imagine the pressure that must be on him. Everyone expects him to win the gold medal. The only thing he can do is lose it.” This, or something similar, is what Lanny overheard from other competitors on the bus during his first olympics when he was coming in favored to win the gold medal.

What happened?

The conversation got “into his head” and Lanny had one of his worst performances in competition.  He ended up winning the silver medal, but it was a major disappointment for Lanny.

After those olympics in Munich Germany, Lanny spoke to psychologists to find out what went wrong. The response from psychologists of that time (1970’s) was that they felt they could definitely help him… learn to accept that winning the silver was good enough. Lanny wasn’t ready to accept silver so he reached out to gold medalists to find out how their thought processes worked so they could achieve at the highest levels.

With Winning In MindWhat he found out was what he turned into his Mental Management system and used to win the gold medal in the next Olympic games.

“The Mental Game isn’t just on Game Day. It is every day.” – Wendell Cherry, Hall of Fame Marksman

Building the Self Image of a Champion

Your Self Image keeps you in your Comfort Zone.  You need to re-program your self image through the things you say to yourself and the things that other people say which you accept as true.  Don’t defeat yourself.

You train your Self Image.

Inspirational Video – How hard are you working?

The inspirational video below is by ET, the hip hop preacher, and contains one of my favorite quotes…

“All men are created equal… some work harder in preseason.”
– Emmitt Smith

Check it out and see if it is as inspirational for you…

Ask yourself…

How hard are you working on the most important things in your life?

Do you have your priorities clear and in front of you at all times?

Are you willing to give up your cell phone to achieve success?

 

Game Face – Get it ON!

This blog article is dedicated to Eddie Siebert. Coach Wheeler, back when he was Player Wheeler, played with (and won championships) with him. Eddie taught me about the importance of “game face”. His famous quote, before every game, was “Get Your Game Face On!”

The video below from BasketballBrain.com is a great overview of the 3 types of approaches used by basketball players and it is worth watching.  Check it out…

The 3 types of basketball game face from the video are 1) Joyous, 2) No Expression and 3) Mean, Fierce or Angry. The video has some excellent NBA examples of each one so you can learn more about each one. The key to all of them is that they bring a focus to your game and just like you can improve your mood by physically smiling, the way you move your face can impact the way you feel and how you play the game.

Which one are you?

First, let me say that you NEED a Game Face. It is a sign to your team mates, your coach and even your opponents that you are serious about winning the game. The question is… Which game face works for you? I should also add that you may tap into different ones depending on the game situation and how you or your team is playing. Sometimes they need a “kick in the pants” and a Fierce Game Face might be needed. Or you might be getting shut down by the other team’s defense so you could break through and show some Joy (and your confidence) when you school them.

It is contagious!

Your attitude, demonstrated through your game face and how you play, is contagious and is an important way you can influence your team. Michael Jordan set a very high standard for the Bulls and they rose to the challenge. (The Washington Wizards… not so much.) What attitude are you bringing to your team? Are you making the practices more effective? Or just walking through them and not getting better? Your attitude & how you express it should help your team, not slow them down or give them reasons to doubt your commitment to winning.

Get You Game Face On!Want to learn more about Attitude?

Visit the “Attitude” page with all the articles about Attitude from the Building a Winning Mindset Blog ! It is important and there are lots of ways to look at it.

Think about it…

What kind of attitude do you want to bring to the game? How are you going to step up so you can defeat the competition? The choice is yours. Now, GO GET YOUR GAME FACE ON !

Your Food Mindset

Cookie Monster - Your Diet Expert?
Are your food choices and eating habits similar to this guy?

Have you ever thought about how Food affects your Mindset? When you think about it, if you aren’t fueling your body with the right foods it is nearly impossible to perform at your best, either physically or mentally. Your food can also impact your mood… we have all been “Hangry” at one time or another (to quote a Snickers commercial). But is a candy bar really the right long term solution? This article will address what goes into developing and implementing a successful Food Mindset. In other words, we will cover what you need to do to improve your body & mind through the food you eat.

3W’s for developing a successful Food Mindset

(1) Why do you eat?  Are you eating for Health or for Fun? Are you usually eating to create your Best Body? Or is taste more important than nutrition for you? Does your food support a lean, low-fat body so that you are not carrying excess weight that will slow you down on the court? Or do you rely on food as a “drug” to manage your mood?

A clear idea of your motivation(s) when it comes to food will help you make better choices and stick to a plan that supports you reaching your potential on the court and in the classroom.

(2) What to eat. Do you have the knowledge you need so you know WHAT foods are the best to eat? Are you aware of what NOT to eat as well? There are many competing ideas when it comes to nutrition… from fad diets to traditional approaches to the latest research, so it can be nearly impossible to know everything.

I like to keep things simple. The first thing you need to know are the basic food groups… Fats, Proteins, Carbs. Within these groups there are good foods and bad foods. For example, there are “slow carbs” like veggies that boost your blood glucose level over a longer time versus “fast carbs” like pasta, sugary foods or soda which causes your blood glucose to spike to high levels quickly and then crash back down leaving you craving more food.

By converting food into blood glucose your body fuels your brain and muscles. This is how what you eat can have a huge impact on how you feel and how you will be able to perform.

As important as knowing WHAT to eat is knowing what NOT to eat (or at least limit as much as possible). There are three things (the 3 S’s) that are at the top of the list of foods to avoid… Sugar, Soda and Syrup.

Sugar is the ultimate “fast carb” and it shows up in more foods than you might imagine. It is not just candy. Sugar is included in things like bread, pasta and many other “fast carbs”. Quick note: veggies are ‘slow carbs’. Fruits are ‘fast carbs” but not quite in the category of sugars since fresh fruit often has fiber that helps your digestion system.

The second ‘S’ is Soda. Soda drinking is often just a habit, especially for young athletes. If you can change your “default drink” to water, your taste buds will adapt and eventually you won’t even want the sicky-sweet taste of sodas. Note: Diet Sodas are not the same as water, even if they claim ‘zero calories’. They are loaded with chemicals that are not doing your body any favors. Learn to drink water 1st !

The third ‘S’ is Syrup, in particular High Fructose Corn Syrup or HFCS. Don’t be tricked by the fact that it has “fructose” in the name and that is the sugar typically found in fruit. Plus it comes from corn, so how bad can it be? Plenty bad. It is even sweeter than sugar and is in almost every prepared food you find in the supermarket. Check food labels and work to remove it from your diet. Note: It won’t be easy… but with work it is possible.

Eating for Life by Bill Phillips

A good book on the subject of food for athletes is Bill Phillips’ “Eating for Life”(Amazon link). This book was a follow up to his successful book, “Body for Life“, (Amazon link ) which also has some great ideas to help you improve your Food Mindset .

(3)  When do you eat?  Your body is designed to handle time periods where you have plenty to eat as well as time when there is nothing to eat. In today’s society, we usually have plenty of food and, putting aside the quality of the food we choose to eat, the quantity of food nowadays is probably the largest contributor to the obesity epidemic.

Athletes are not exempt from obesity. As the saying goes, “You can’t out run a bad diet.” so no matter how hard you work out, you still need to dial in your diet. On top of that, few people today are choosing to ‘not eat’ and activate the “Fasting Protocol” portion of their metabolism.

The good news is that you don’t need to go without food for days and days to get the benefits of Fasting. Intermittent Fasting is when you limit WHEN you eat to a certain part of the day, usually 8 – 12 hours. This gives your body a chance to ‘fast’ for 12-16 hours every day and the result is that many of the ‘weak cells’ in your body don’t survive the fasting process. This leaves you with a higher percentage of healthy cells and since we are always making new cells we won’t miss the weak ones who get eliminated.

Side note: It has been shown that fasting for 3-5 days prior to chemo treatment makes the treatment more effective and reduces the side effects. Did you know that while cancer cells replicate faster than normal cells, they are also dependent on the availability of sugar (blood glucose) and are also weaker than healthy cells.

Implementing a successful Food Mindset

Once you know the 3W’s: Why you are eating, What you need to eat and When to eat, there are three key concepts that will turn your knowledge and motivation into a successful Food Mindset. They are Mental Discipline, Hydration and Personal Identity.

Mental Discipline

Mental Discipline is a skill that can be developed but it is much easier to build habits that allow you to conserve your mental willpower for other challenges you will face throughout the day.

One way to cultivate mental discipline / food habits  is to build a “cheat day” into your diet. Just knowing that you have one ‘cheat day’ per week can give you discipline to eat better for the other 6 days. You will probably find that even on your cheat day, you will eat better because “eating right” has become a habit as part of those other six days per week.

Coach Wheeler on How to create a compelling personal vision for your lifeAnother way to develop Mental Discipline is to use the power of both Plan & Process thinking. Coach Wheeler is developing a short (~10 minute) speech on creating a vision for your life. Part of that speech explains Plan vs. Process thinking. (Link to Coach Wheeler’s YouTube video – this is an early practice speech at Toastmasters).

In short, Plan thinking is having a goal and figuring out the steps you need to achieve that goal. Process thinking is geared toward “winning each moment”.  It is setting up processes that will lead “in the direction” of what you want. Process thinking is built on the idea that you might not be able to control the outcome of every step in your plan. But you can control how you approach everything you do on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis. When Plan & Process thinking are combined (with a clear Vision and Focused action… mentioned in Coach Wheeler’s video), your chances for success are greatly increased.

Translating this into your Food Mindset means that you have a Plan for the food you are going to eat. Plus you can execute that plan by implementing the Processes that produce success. Some process examples might include how you do the shopping, cooking and eliminating sources of bad choices. If you “win the shopping”, you are much more likely to have good food. Can you “win the cooking” and you set yourself up to eat better? By eliminating bad foods from your environment, you are making it easier to follow your plan.

Hydration

Hydration is one of the easiest things to overlook when it comes to your Food Mindset. As mentioned earlier, making water your default beverage is a good start. It offsets other (bad) alternatives such as soda but there is more to the story when it comes to water. Your body needs water. In fact, we are MOSTLY WATER and when our body is low on water, we often interpret it as “hunger”. It is always a good idea to drink some water when you first feel hungry. This way you aren’t taking in extra calories when you are really just thirsty.

Hydration is critically important for athletes. It is good to imagine that “sweat is weakness leaving your body”. You also have to replenish the water in your body to operate at your best. Keep in mind… we are losing water through evaporation even when we are not soaked in sweat. Every breath leaves with a bit of water. (That’s what you see in the winter when you can see your breath.) Every time you go to the bathroom, your body is using water to eliminate waste from your system. That’s why you need to be aware of your hydration level.

A good way to look at hydration is to monitor the color of your pee. If it is dark yellow, you are dehydrated. If it is almost colorless, you are probably in good shape. Note: This is a guideline and does not address illnesses that might affect the color of your urine. I don’t pay a doctor online … or in real life, so get medical attention if something seems out of line.

Identity

Coach Wheeler's book, Fat is all in your HeadFinally, the last part of your Food Mindset is your Identity. This is how you see yourself.

Are you an athlete (so you eat good foods that allow you to perform at your best)? Or are you a generally lazy person who eats whatever is offered or “tastes good”? Y0ur identity shapes all of your decisions in life, not just food. If you want to learn more about how you can shape your identity so it supports your Food Mindset, check out Coach Wheeler’s book, “Fat is all in your Head“.  It starts out with the story of how Coach Wheeler lost over 50 pounds by changing his thinking.

Bottom Line…

Your Food Mindset is up to you. It can impact all areas of your life. The sooner you take control of the food you put in your mouth, the sooner you will start to achieve your potential. On the other hand, you could continue to let it slide. And your goals will continue to slide away from you as well. The choice is yours. Please leave a comment below and tell us what you decide!

 

Book Review-Undoing Project by Michael Lewis

Book Review-The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
click the image above to purchase “The Undoing Project” on Amazon!

Michael Lewis’s book “The Undoing Project” is a story about the relationship between two people who studied how the mind works and, in particular, why we sometimes do unexpected things.  I am big fan of “counter-intuitive” thinking and this book provided some clues to when we think well and when we trick ourselves into believing things that might not be in our best interest.

What is “Undoing”?

Undoing, as mentioned in the project, is the human nature to think of ways that some event might be “undone”. For example, if someone gets into an accident on the way to work it is common to think that if “they left just a few minutes earlier or later”, they would have avoided being at the location of the accident all together.

People often look for the smallest deviation that might create a new reality, and especially if they were wounded (either directly or indirectly) by the event it can make us feel better to think about how the past could be different. Making the past different” might be the simplest way to think of “Undoing” and the book discusses a number of parameters that we use.

For example, we look for small changes vs. large, maybe unlikely, changes. In the car accident example, we don’t usually say “If only they took the #2 bus to the A-train and then a cab from the station to work.” Simplicity is our friend when we are “Undoing”.

Quick side note… The last part of the book talks about how the relationship between the two psychologists, which had been highly productive for many years, begins to break down as they move in different directions. In a way, this is an “Undoing” too.

Here are some notes / observations from the book…

[starting on p.197] The ideas below will give you a sampling of the ideas presented in the book. Keep in mind that these ideas, while interesting by themselves, don’t really give you a taste for the stories that are an important part of the book.

  • People predict by making up stories.
  • People predict very little and explain everything.
  • People live under uncertainty whether they like it or not.
  • People believe they can tell the future if they work hard enough.
  • People accept any explanation as long as it fits the facts.

[This seems to be related to the concept of Correlation vs. Causation. It is easy to think when something [consistently?] happens in sequence (i.e. correlated) that the first event causes the second when, in fact, there could be a completely different mechanism at work. – Coach Wheeler]

  • The handwriting was on the wall, it was just the ink was invisible.
  • People often work hard to obtain information they already have and avoid new knowledge.
  • Man is a deterministic device thrown into a probabilistic universe.  In this match, surprises are expected.
  • Everything that has already happened must have been inevitable.
  • We are exposed to a lifetime schedule in which we are most often rewarded for punishing others, and punished for rewarding.
  • “Peak-end Rule” says that “Last impressions can be lasting impressions.” [p.236]
  • [p.206-7] The “Hindsight Bias” is explained/discussed.
Bottom Line… Is The Undoing Project worth reading?

Short answer… Yes.  Longer answer… If you like Michael Lewis’s style of writing and story-telling (e.g. The Blind Side, Moneyball or The Big Short), you will probably enjoy this book as well. In terms of things to learn about how the mind works, there are some good ideas (see notes above) but many of them are not common knowledge. I enjoyed the book and recommend “The Undoing Project” to anyone who has even a passing interest in psychology and how the mind works.