Feeding The Roots: Success Inputs

Coach Wheeler's Formula for Success
Are you feeding the Roots of your future Success?

Below, you will find a selection of books related to the deepest level success inputs in Coach Wheeler’s “Roots of Success” diagram. These books can help illuminate the concepts that underlie each facet of success as described in the framework.

Note: If you purchase through the links in this post, you will be helping Coach Wheeler pay for this website and keep the content coming your way!

Success Inputs for Passion:
Vision and Mission

Vision:

“Start With Why” by Simon Sinek
Sinek explores how leaders and organizations can inspire others by identifying and communicating their “Why” or core purpose. He emphasizes that those who lead with ‘why’ are able to inspire and engage others more effectively.

“The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
This book is a guide to opening up one’s mind to the possibilities that exist within every situation. By aligning your vision with what’s possible, you can transform not only your personal life but also your professional endeavors.

“Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
Summary: Brown provides insight into how to embrace vulnerability and uncertainty to create a more courageous and visionary leadership style. Her research-backed approach helps readers cultivate an authentic and inspiring vision.

Mission:

“The 4 Disciplines of Execution” by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling
This book focuses on how to execute strategy and mission with excellence. The authors present four essential disciplines that empower organizations to achieve their wildly important goals.

Good to Great by Jim Collins

“Good to Great” by Jim Collins
Collins examines how companies transition from being good to great, outlining the systematic process and the disciplined focus on mission that differentiates great companies. Two thumbs up from Coach Wheeler!

“Mastering the Rockefeller Habits” by Verne Harnish
Harnish presents a guide to business strategy focusing on clear planning and disciplined execution. The book offers tools and strategies for companies to define their mission and execute it successfully.

Success Inputs for Health:
Food, Sleep/Recovery, and Play

Food:

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan
Pollan takes readers on an exploration of food choices, looking at the ethical and environmental implications of what we eat. He emphasizes the importance of conscious eating for personal and planetary health.

“Eat to Live” by Joel Fuhrman
Dr. Fuhrman provides a comprehensive guide on nutritional science, offering a diet that focuses on nutrient-dense foods to enhance overall wellness.

“In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan
Pollan provides an easy-to-follow guide to eating healthily, boiling it down to the mantra, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” His insights encourage mindful eating based on real, whole foods.

Sleep/Recovery:

“Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker
A comprehensive exploration of the vital importance of sleep, this book delves into the science of sleep and its profound impact on our health, brain function, and quality of life.

“The Sleep Revolution” by Arianna Huffington
Huffington addresses the sleep deprivation crisis, arguing for a cultural shift that recognizes the importance of rest and recovery in our fast-paced world.

“Sleep Smarter” by Shawn Stevenson
Stevenson offers actionable insights and tips to optimize sleep quality, emphasizing how proper sleep supports overall wellness.

Play:

“Play” by Stuart Brown
Brown argues that play is not just essential for children but for adults too. He explores the science of play and how it improves creativity, innovation, and overall happiness.

“The Playful Brain” by Sergio Pellis and Vivien Pellis
This book delves into the neurobiology of play, showing how it shapes the brain and development, offering insights into why play is crucial for social and cognitive growth.

“Free to Learn” by Peter Gray
Gray explores how play and curiosity drive learning, advocating for an educational approach that incorporates play and self-directed learning.

Success Inputs for Conscienceness:
Accountability and Responsibility (A&R)

Accountability:

“The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability” by Roger Connors, Tom Smith, and Craig Hickman
This book focuses on how personal and organizational accountability leads to success and fulfillment. It offers practical strategies to take ownership and achieve better results.

“The Accountability Revolution” by Mark Samuel
Samuel presents a fresh perspective on accountability, emphasizing its role as a positive and empowering force within organizations.

“Ownership Thinking” by Brad Hams
Hams introduces a model of employee engagement based on accountability and ownership thinking, showing how to create a culture where employees think and act like owners.

Responsibility:

“Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Two Navy SEALs share their leadership lessons on taking full responsibility and leading effectively under pressure.

“The Responsibility Virus” by Roger L. Martin
Martin explores the tendency to either take on too much responsibility or shirk it entirely. He provides a guide to balancing responsibility and empowering others.

“The Power of Responsibility” by Joelle Casteix
This motivational book offers a step-by-step guide to embracing personal responsibility, focusing on empowerment, healing, and personal growth.

Success Inputs for Knowledge:
Independent, Structured, General, Specialized and Memory/Recall

Independent Knowledge:

“The 4-Hour Chef” by Tim Ferriss
Ferriss explores how to learn anything rapidly and effectively. He offers a method for independent knowledge acquisition that can be applied to various subjects.

“Ultralearning” by Scott Young
Young provides a guide to mastering hard skills and acquiring knowledge independently. His methods are geared towards self-driven learners who want to achieve more in less time.

Structured Knowledge:

“Make It Stick” by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
This book explores the science of learning and provides insights into how to structure knowledge acquisition for long-term retention.

“How to Create a Mind” by Ray Kurzweil
Kurzweil investigates how the brain works, focusing on pattern recognition and the hierarchical structure of knowledge.

“Building a Better Teacher” by Elizabeth Green
Green offers a look at the art and science of teaching, exploring how effective education is structured and what it takes to foster deep understanding.

General Knowledge:

“A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson
Bryson takes readers on a tour of science and history, providing a comprehensive overview of general knowledge across various domains.

“The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy” by E.D. Hirsch, Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil
This reference book offers a guide to essential concepts and terms that everyone should know, fostering general cultural literacy.

“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari
Harari explores the history and impact of Homo sapiens, providing a broad understanding of human history, society, and culture.

Specialized Knowledge:

“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell investigates why some people succeed, focusing on specialized knowledge, practice, and the various factors that contribute to high levels of success.

“Deep Work” by Cal Newport
Newport explores how deep, focused work leads to mastery and specialization. He offers practical advice for those seeking to hone specialized skills and knowledge.

“The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle
Coyle explores how talent is developed, focusing on deep practice and specialized training. He provides insights into how anyone can develop specialized skills and expertise.

Memory/Recall:

“Moonwalking with Einstein” by Joshua Foer
Foer explores the art of memorizing and the science of memory, offering practical techniques to enhance memory and recall.

“The Memory Book” by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas
This classic guide offers a range of techniques to improve memory, from simple tricks to advanced systems, suitable for anyone looking to enhance recall.

“Make Your Brain Smarter” by Sandra Bond Chapman, Ph.D.
Chapman provides strategies to increase brain performance and memory recall, focusing on scientifically proven methods to enhance cognitive function.

Inputs for Social Skills:
EQ Intelligence and Interpersonal skills

Intelligence of Emotions (EQ):

“Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
Bradberry and Greaves offer a step-by-step program to increase emotional intelligence, focusing on four core EQ skills that drive success.

“Primal Leadership” by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee
This book focuses on leadership and the role of emotional intelligence in building strong relationships, teams, and organizations.

“Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown
Brown explores the power of vulnerability and empathy, emphasizing how emotional intelligence and connection can lead to a more fulfilled and courageous life.

Interpersonal Skills:

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
Carnegie’s timeless classic provides practical advice on effective communication, understanding others, and building lasting relationships.

“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini
Cialdini explores the principles of persuasion and influence, offering insights into how to communicate and connect with others more effectively.

“Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
This book offers techniques for handling difficult and crucial conversations, focusing on communication skills that foster understanding and collaboration.

Inputs for Problem Solving:
IQ (basic intelligence) and Creativity

IQ (Basic Intelligence):

“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
Kahneman, a Nobel laureate, explores the dual-process model of the brain, revealing how our thinking is divided into intuitive and logical processes.

“The Mismeasure of Man” by Stephen Jay Gould
Gould challenges traditional measures of intelligence, providing a critical examination of IQ testing and the nature of intelligence.

“The Intelligence Trap” by David Robson
Robson explores how intelligent people make irrational decisions and offers insights into how to think more critically and effectively.

Creativity:

“The Creative’s Curse” by Todd Brison
Brison provides a guide for creative minds, offering insights into how to nurture creativity and overcome the challenges that creative individuals often face.

“Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilbert offers a warm and wise perspective on creativity, encouraging readers to embrace inspiration and live a creative life without fear.

“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
Pressfield explores the internal barriers to creativity and offers motivation and guidance for overcoming resistance and unleashing creative potential.

Wrap UP…

These books cover a wide array of topics or “success inputs” related to the deepest-level inputs of the “Roots of Success” diagram created by . By delving into these texts, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the core concepts that shape success and personal development. Whether focusing on passion, health, conscience, intelligence, or social skills, these readings offer valuable insights and practical applications to foster growth and achievement.

Remember, success is not merely a destination but a journey shaped by continuous learning, self-reflection, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. By embracing these principles and integrating the wisdom contained within these books, you are paving the way toward a more fulfilling and successful life.

Now, let’s get off our metaphorical backsides and dive into these enriching resources! How will you take the next step in your personal or professional development?

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.

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 !

Affirmations for Athletes

Afffirmations 4 Athletes by Coach WheelerAffirmations are a powerful way for you, as an athlete, to overcome ways of thinking that are holding you back from becoming your best.  Society has programmed many “limiting beliefs” into your mind over your lifetime. If you have read my post about Mental Management, you will notice that affirmations are one way that you can use your Conscious Mind to program your Subconscious Mind and improve your Self Image.

You will also find that doing affirmations on a regular basis will improve your focus on positive outcomes or goals while pushing out thoughts about the obstacles / limiting factors / fear of the unknown you might be experiencing.

This article will define affirmations, show you how to build effective ones as well as provide some samples that you can use or adapt to your own situation.

What are affirmations?

Affirmations are statements that you write down and say on a regular basis, ideally every day, multiple times a day. Repetition is key. The more often you say the affirmation, the more likely it is to come true.

Affirmations Experience by Scott AdamsDon’t believe me?

It is good to be skeptical, especially when we are talking about changing how your brain is programmed. On the other hand, if there is something that will make your life better, don’t you deserve to learn about it? Here is the link to an article by the creator of the comic strip Dilbert, Scott Adams, that talks about why he thinks affirmations work. He also talks extensively about his experiences using affirmations in his book, “How to fail at almost everything and still win big“. Let’s assume that between what Coach Wheeler and Scott Adams have said, you want to learn more about how to use affirmations to improve your life.

How do I create effective affirmations?

The key to making affirmations that work is three-fold…

(1) Affirmations must be in the present tense. They might start with “I am…” They are built on the assumption that the goal or state of being that you desire is already happening. This is important since your mind will begin to believe whatever you say, especially if it is repeated enough. I am sure you have seen this happen to someone, maybe even yourself, where sticking to their story for so long that you believe it is true. Even if the person is delusional (i.e. disconnected from reality), their decision making is based on the “future reality” that they desire and believe. Because of this, their actions fall in line with that reality. The result? You create the reality that you believe.

(2) Don’t use negatives. Replace negative statements with something positive that overcomes the negative. For example, if you want to reduce the number of turnovers you commit in games, don’t use “I won’t turn over the ball.” Instead, focus on the positive condition that removes the negative, such as “I am an excellent passer.”

Belief comes from repetition(3) True or Not? A successful affirmation should represent what you want to be true, not necessarily what is already true. Some people have trouble imagining a different life where they enjoy an upgraded existence, especially if they are in the middle of some sort of crisis. When things are not going your way, that is exactly when you need to develop a vision for a better tomorrow. The easiest way to make that “better tomorrow” happen is to imagine how it will feel and consistently program your mind to believe it will happen. Affirmations are the perfect tool to use the power of words to start thinking differently about your situation. Once you think different, you will act different and things will change.

Sample Affirmations for Athletes:

Below are some examples that you can use or adapt to fit your own situation. These sample affirmations are geared toward somethings that athletes may find helpful. If you have additional ideas, please be sure to leave a comment below!

  • I make every open shot.
  • I control the game.
  • I make my team mates better.
  • I deliver the ball so my team mates can easily score.
  • I am in amazing shape and better conditioned than my competitors.
  • I am mentally tough. Nothing can stop me from achieving my goals.
  • I am a winner.
  • I constantly learn, grow and improve my game.
  • I perform well under pressure.
  • I am a good team mate.
  • I work hard and produce results. *
  • I can be trusted and never let down my team. *

* These last couple affirmations are more “character-related” (versus skill-related or outcome-oriented). For a downloadable Character Assessment Worksheet based on the work by Brett Ledbetter from “What Drives Winning”, check out the link to this article. [link coming soon]

Bottom Line:

Warning… Don’t compare your affirmations with what other people are doing. Your affirmations are specifically for YOU and YOU can be great! Don’t let anyone tell you that your aspirations and goals are “unrealistic”. Greatness, by definition, requires you go beyond ordinary to achieve the “extraordinary” !

This is what will happen as you start doing affirmations. You will begin to notice when you are in situations like the ones in your affirmations. This recognition along with the memory of what you have stated in your affirmation will move you toward achieving your affirmation. Will it happen immediately? Not likely… but it could. You might realize that you were closer to your affirmation than you imagined. If not now, when? In other words, how sure are you that it will it happen eventually? 100%. The sooner you start your affirmations, the sooner you will see results.

 

Mental Management – Marksmanship, Basketball and Coaching

Below is an excerpt from The Red Circle, My Life in the navy seal sniper corps and how I trained America’s deadliest marksmen, by Brandon Webb. In this excerpt, Brandon Webb talks about Lanny Bassham’s Mental Management concept and how it relates to performance under pressure. After the excerpt are some ideas for applying the ideas to basketball.

The Red Circle by Brandon Webb
“Earlier I said that intellectual capacity was the first trait we look for in a sniper, that physical ability, as important as it is, is only 10 percent of the game. Of all the changes we made in the course, the one that felt most significant to me and that I was proudest of was our system for mental management.

When we first encountered the concept of mental management it was being taught exclusively to instructors as a way to help us coach and teach more effectively. In essense, it was all about where we as instructors focused a student’s attention

Say you’re doing batting practice with a kid and you notice he’s standing with his knees buckled in, shoulders misaligned, hands spread wide apart on the bat. Your impulse might be to start telling the kid everything he is doing wrong. If you focus his attention on all these wrong things, though, what you’re really doing is imprinting them  into the poor kid’s mind, with the result that they start becoming ingrained habits. If you say, “Hey, you’re flinching. Every time the ball comes at you, you’re flinching! Stop Flinching!” then what the hell’s that little kid thinking about? He’s thinking about flinching.

If instead you say, “Hey, put your hands closer together, like this, and look: feet apart.” Then you’re showing him what to do rather than focusing his attention on what not to do.

A beginner typically starts out very focused on everything that’s going on. He’ll tend to absorb whatever is thrown at him. He is, in other words, highly programmable. The question is, as an instructor, what are you going to feed that rapt attention: bad habits or good habits?

This translated directly to instruction on the sniper course. In the old days instructors would bark at us for everything we did wrong. “Stop! You’re putting your finger on the trigger wrong! When you pull the trigger, you’re flinching! You’re jerking the barrel! You’re fucking up!” Suddenly we’d be thinking, Holy shit, there’re twenty things I’m doing wrong! Instead, we learned we could give a student three positive commands, three things he could do to correct those errors, and now he’d be developing good habits from day 1.

I have to admit, I was not completely on board with the whole concept of mental management when I first bumped into it, and I had to overcome my own skepticism. Shortly after Eric and I checked into NSWC to start working with the basic sniper course, we and a handful of other instructors were brought out to Scottsdale, AZ for a one week course taught by a champion marksman named Lanny Bassham, one of the pioneers of mental management. I was pretty dubious. Mental Management? What, like some positive-thinking guru? Oh boy. “Great,” I said to Eric, “when is Tony Robbins gonna come in and blow smoke up our asses?”

My attitude didn’t last long. Bassham is such an amazing, down-to-earth guy – and what he taught us was nothing short of incredible.

“I wasn’t good at sports,” Lanny told us. “I was of this weak, goofy kid. My dad said, ‘Hang in there, we’re going to find something for you. Everyone has a talent.’ ”

Lanny found his talent when he got into competitive shooting. After college he joined the army and was assigned to their marksmanship unit, which is comprised  of the best match shooters in the world. By the time he went to shoot in the 1972 Olympics in Munich at the age of twenty-five, Lanny was famous the youngest world champion in the sport, and everyone expected him to shoot gold.

“I was on the bus with a bunch of competitors from different countries,” he said. “I heard some Russians in the seat behind me talking about how much pressure I must be under, with the entire reputation of the United States on my shoulders, and how they were glad they weren’t me – and they started getting in my head.”

By the time he stepped off the bus, Lanny was completely rattled. “I shot the worst match of my life,” he said. This being Lanny, the worst match of his life meant he came in second – but he was devastated. He came back to the States and visited with a handful of sports psychologists to see if he could understand what had happened to him, and they all said the same thing: “Hey it’s okay to be number two. Olympic silver is a great achievement, Lanny. You should be satisfied with that.”

Lanny said, “Screw that. I don’t think so!”

He spent the next few years interviewing dozens of gold-medal champions and recording all the specific traits he could identify in his interviews. They gave him an earful; you don’t get to be a gold medalist without doing an awful lot of self-examination and studying the best practices and key practice/performance tactics and strategies. Out of everything he heard, he found there were two specific traits they all shared in common.

First was complete and total confidence. Not arrogance or cockiness, but an absolute, unshakable confidence in their ability to perform regardless of adversity. Here’ how Lanny described this trait:

If I’m a champion tennis player, playing a championship game, it doesn’t matter if the strings start popping off, or my favorite racket breaks in the middle of the game. I’ll pick up a piece of plywood, tape it to a stick, and I’ll still beat you on the tennis court.

It’s an attitude that says, I will win no matter what. These people didn’t just want to win, they expected to win. When they went out to compete, they had already won in their minds.

We’ve all seen people who have the talent and skill to win, but at the last minute something goes wrong; their favorite bat breaks, or a golf swing misses, or something in their environment distracts them – the way Lanny was psyched out by the Russian taunts – and their game unravels. It didn’t unravel because the bat broke, Lanny was saying, or because the pitch went wild, or because of the other team’s taunt. It unraveled because it was vulnerable.

For champions that doesn’t happen. Their game is invulnerable. That’s the kind of confidence Lanny was talking about – and that was the kind of confidence we wanted to instill in our sniper course graduates.

The other trait was that they all did some kind of mental rehearsal- closing their eyes and practicing their winning game in their heads, over and over again.

Lanny told us about a navy pilot he met in the seventies name Captain Jack Sands. Captain Sands was shot down while serving in Vietnam and spent seven years in a prison camp in Hanoi, confined in isolation with no phyical activity. In order to preserve his sanity, he decided to practice his golf game. Of course, he couldn’t physically play golf – but the 5′ x 5′ cage he was in couldn’t prevent him from creating a course in his mind. In his imagination he evoked an image of a beautiful country club course, placed himself there, and let himself experience it all in great detail. He saw himself dressed in golfing clothes, smelled the trees and grass, and felt himself making each stroke as he played. Every day, for seven years, Captain Sands played a full eighteen holes in his mind while his body sat in his cage. He played it perfectly, never hooking slicing, or missing a single shot or putt. Hey, he was making it all up, right? Why not make it perfect?

Here was the amazing part. Before joining the navy, Captain Sands was an average weekend golfer, barely breaking 100. After he was finally released from his captivity and made his way home, he eventually got out onto a real grass-and-air golf course, and his first day out on the green he shot a stunning score of 74. He had taken more than 20 strokes off his game – without one laying a hand on a club. (By the way, some have claimed this story is an urban legen and there was no such person. It’s no urban legend: Lanny sat next to the guy on a seven-hour flight to a world championship match they attended together.)

The point, said Lanny, was that your reality is defined by your mind, not your external enironment. Jack Sand’s golf game changed so dramatically because that was how he had programmed his brain to see it.

Lanny went on to tell us about a national shooting championship he participated in. As part of his preparation, he had spent time mentally rehearsing the moment when he would be kneeling  there and suddenly realize, Holy shit, I’m about to shoot a perfect score.  What so often happens in a high-stakes situation like this? The realization that you are on a roll knocks you off balance. It’s that Uh oh, I’m so close, what if I screw up now? moment that can come with asking someone out on a first date, taking your driver’s test, asking for a raise, or doing anything risky and important in life. We’re not ready for this place of victory and don’t know how to react now that we are here – so we choke. Not Lanny. He’d rehearsed that moment so many times that it was now as familiar to him as coming home.

“When I hit that moment in that championship,” he said, “I recognized it like an old friend. Just like I’d done every time I’d rehearsed it. I took two deep breaths, said to myself, I’m shooting the next three shots perfectly, then took  my time. Boom. Boom. Boom.

He shot a perfect score.

Lanny returned to the Olympics in 1976, and this time, using his mental management system, he took the Olympic gold. Over the following years he dominate the field, winning twenty-two world individual and team titles and setting four world records on top of the gold medal he took in Montreal.

With Winning In MindLanny incorporated what he’d learned into a whole mental management program, which he wrote about in his book, With Winning In Mind. His system became so popular that other coaches and athletes started having him come train them.

Mental Management to basketball

The obvious application is visualizing free throws but it could be used for nearly any part of the game. Late in the season, when the body gets worn out, how about taking some time to relax and visualize actions instead of running up and down the court?

As the state playoffs approach, wouldn’t the concept of Mental Management help your team perform better? Imagine what it will be like when you have a lead in the game and realize that you could actually win the championship? Or you face a challenge from the other team, maybe they make a couple of 3 point shots in a row… how are you going to respond? With confidence that you will overcome the challenge and emerge victorious? Why not?

Please post your thoughts on Mental Management for Basketball in the comments below. We would love to hear what you think or how you have applied these ideas!

Court Awareness – K.I.M. games

Court Awareness, sometimes called “situational awareness”, is a critical skill if you want to be a top player on a highly successful team in almost any sport. In simplest terms, it is being aware of what is going on around you. At the next level, you are aware of what each observation means and what might happen next.

It can also be a very helpful skill in other areas of life. In fact, some of the exercises that will be presented below, are based on articles from military blogs explaining how awareness can be applied in battle and other situations.

Basketball Court Awareness…

Learning from the Master

The short video below shows how one of the best passers of all time uses a highly developed court awareness to make some amazing passes. There are some passes where he is looking at the recipient of his pass but there are many more where he is either looking away or anticipates where his team mate will be to accept his pass (and usually score).

What does Court Awareness mean for basketball players?

Court Awareness, at its peak, means that you are aware of all the players on the court… where they are, where they are moving, who has the ball, where they are looking and even what they might be saying. It extends to knowing the current score as well as how much time is on the clock as well. If your state has a shot clock, court awareness includes knowing how much time is left whether you are on offense or defense.

Seems like a lot of information to process all at once, doesn’t it? The good news is that your court awareness can be developed over time… if you put in the effort to improve.

How to improve court awareness

The K.I.M. game, also known as Keep In Memory, is an effective and enjoyable method to boost your court awareness skills. The fundamental concept behind this game is to improve the player’s ability to recall a dynamic scene accurately, a trait crucial in understanding the constantly changing dynamics on a basketball court.

In this game, you’re encouraged to take a mental ‘snapshot’ of the current game state – player positions, who has the ball, the clock, and the score. Then, as the game progresses, you must frequently refer back to these mental snapshots, updating them constantly. This mimics the real-time process in an actual game, as you strive to keep an updated mental image of the court situation while simultaneously involved in the game.

Interestingly, some relate this game to ‘Kim’s game’ from an old movie, where the protagonist develops a strong memory by recalling intricate details from a scene. Regardless of its origin, the K.I.M. game is a beneficial tool in training the brain to capture, store, and retrieve necessary details swiftly, significantly benefiting the player’s court awareness and overall game performance.

Either way, KIM is a way to improve your ability to take a “mental snapshot” and then access it at a later time. In basketball, this “snapshot” is constantly changing (e.g. locations of players) but since you can’t always see 100% of the court or all the players, having a picture in your mind that you can refer to is of immense value as you are figuring out what you should do next.

Here are some examples of KIM games that you might want to try…

KIM Game # 1 – Team Challenge

[FREEZE] Stop play and have all players close their eyes. Ask questions of each player to identify locations of other players on their team as well as the opposition. Team with most answers correct wins.

You can also take pictures from behind the defense at different points in a scrimmage and, later, use them as a challenge for your team to predict where every player was after seeing the picture for just a second or two.

KIM Game # 2 – Snapshot. Questions.

Take a mental picture of something. Examples could be a billboard (if you are driving), a bulletin board (in a school) or a scene from a particular perspective. Have each person answer questions based on their brief glimpse or “snapshot” of the scene or item(s).

KIM Game # 3 – What’s Different?

I got this exercise from professional speaker and World Champion of Public Speaking, Craig Valentine. He uses this as part of his speeches to help audience members recognize changes. He starts by asking audience members to pair up and designate one as the “observer” and one as the “changer”.

He then asks the “changer” to think of 6 things they could change. Craig quickly stops the exercise before it goes too far and he lets the audience know that 6 things is probably too much. He gives the changers a different goal… change one thing.

Next the pairs of audience members turn away from each other (back to back) and the “changer” changes 1 thing about their clothing or personal “look”, e.g. hair style, location of watch or other items.

After instructing the pairs to turn back toward each other, Craig asks the question, “What’s missing or changed?”. Most observers can pick out the one change.  He then repeats the exercise with two changes … and again the observer usually recognizes the changes.

What’s the moral of this story?

court awareness can get you more (and better) shots
How’s your team’s court awareness?

If you start small, you can learn to observe the changes and your ability to see relative changes can be expanded with practice.

The same thing applies to Court Awareness. By using these exercises along with ideas you develop yourself, players will train their brains to be more aware of the location of other players, where they are moving as well as other factors that are part of the game.

What’s next?

First, it would be great if you could post your ideas or feedback about Court Awareness in the comments below. We would also love to hear what types of drills you use and how court awareness has improved the performance of your team.

Second, you might want to learn more about how court awareness figures into something called the “OODA Loop”.  Check out this article by Coach Wheeler “Mental Models and the OODA Loop.”

Building your inner / outer Warrior

No one is born a warrior.

You become a warrior. You train yourself. You learn from people you admire and respect.

You challenge yourself. You set a standard for your actions that is above average. “Good enough” is not good enough for you.

You focus on what is important. You are not distracted by unimportant things. You spend time with others who share your goals. You help them get better just as they help you improve.

You stand for your values. Your actions reflect a respect for the value of competition.

You are constantly learning and improving. You are open to new ideas and find ways to adopt the best ones.

You recognize that there is always room for improvement. You know that success is enjoying the journey toward achievement, not the achievement itself.

You never quit. No matter how tough it gets, you are tougher. You find a way to your goal or you make a new way.

You control your mind and emotions. You choose your reaction to circumstances. You are not at the mercy of your situation.

You take action on your top priorities. You don’t need external motivation. You are in charge of your life.

You know how your mind works and can find all the motivation you will ever need.

You are strong and getting stronger. You protect the weak. You challenge oppression.

You strive to be better than your past. You bounce back from mistakes and learn from each one so they are not repeated.

You see the best in others. You recognize the worst as an opportunity for growth.

You are an example for others. You are a beacon of possibility.

You are a warrior. You never give up on your dreams.

Warriors WIN.

 

– by Coach Dave Wheeler

 

Swish-Warriors Win

Meditation for Athletes

Meditation for basketball athletesThere are a number of ways that meditation can be used by athletes to Train Your Brain to perform better both on the court or in the classroom. Some examples of the various types of meditations presented by Coach Wheeler include “No Regrets” meditation, Visualization and Mindfulness meditations. These and others will be discussed in the article below.

What are some places where can I use meditation?

There are also a number of situations where you can use meditation to put your mind in the proper state to perform at your best. Some of these are Pre-Game, Post-Game, Pre/Post Practice or in anticipation of a high stress event such as a playoff game or test in school.

What is meditation?

For the sake of this article, we will be talking about guided meditations where you listen to a voice that gives you directions to lead you through the meditation process.  There is a whole field of meditation which is “unguided” and sometimes uses a “mantra” or a phrase repeated over and over to train your brain. Other types of unguided meditation have you focus on your breath and that technique has been incorporated into the guided meditations produced by Coach Wheeler. Speaking of that…

QUICK COMMERCIAL break…

Coach Wheeler produces his own basketball camp through InviteOnlyBasketball.com that features Mindset training.  He also speaks at other camps on the topics of “Mind Control for Athletes” and “Train Your Brain for High Performance”. For more information and to check Coach Wheeler’s availability for speaking at your event, send him an email via the Contact Us page (click here).

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming…

No Regrets

This meditation is similar to the experience that Scrooge goes through in the classic story, “A Christmas Carol”. It is a simple story… Scrooge is exposed to a vision of the past, present and [a potential] future. The key is to figure out what your current present (and past) is leading to (one potential future) and then figure out what changes you need to make (NOW) so that your future will be better.

In essence, this meditation takes you through a visualization of some future event that is causing you stress and which you might end up with regrets if things do not “go your way”. Once you have seen the future, you come back to the present and imagine the changes you need to make so that your future improves. The final part of this meditation is a visualization of the new (better) version of the future event based on the changes you will make in the present.

Typically this results in an empowered feeling that you have more control over your future and are motivated to take the actions needed to make your desired future happen.

Want to try it? Contact Coach Wheeler for information on how you can get a copy of his Guided Results Meditation for “No Regrets” audio file. He often does this meditation at his basketball camps or speaking engagements.

Performance Enhancement / Visualization

Using a guided meditation to help you visualize success in a particular activity has been proven to be almost as effective as actually practicing the activity… without the physical stress of the activity.

Visualization is a great way to”get more reps in” without putting added stress on your body. In fact, meditation, when done right, can be highly relaxing and aid in your body’s recuperation from hard training sessions. It is a great complement to the rest of your training on the court or in the weight room.

Visualization can be used to deal with a future pressure-filled situation like a game-winning shot or an exam in school. By visualizing the event, you can desensitize yourself to the potential stress. You also learn to relax so you can perform at your best.

Want to try it? Contact Coach Wheeler for information on how you can get a copy of his Guided Results Meditation for “Visualization for Athletes” audio file. He often does a Visualization meditation at his basketball camps or speaking engagements.

Relax/Focus [Mindfulness]

Mindfulness meditation is what most people are talking about when they talk about “meditation”. This type of meditating trains your brain to be mindful of the thoughts that pop up. Eventually, you will exercise control over how you interact with those thoughts.

The process of meditating, in almost all forms, is a form of relaxation for the body and mind. It is also a way to build the skill of control over the workings of your mind.

If you think about it… whose mind is the most important to control? If you control yourself, you are in a position to control the outcome of events in your life. This done through recognition of opportunities and application of actions toward your highest priority goals. Few people (or athletes) consider how much better they would do if they controlled their thoughts… and guided meditation is a great way to start.

Want to try it? Contact Coach Wheeler for information on how you can get a copy of his Guided Results Meditation for Mindfulness audio file. He often does this meditation at his basketball camps or speaking engagements.

Motivation / Focus 

This meditation is a “thinking exercise” to help you uncover your motivation and focus on actions to achieve your goal. This is especially important when you know what you probably “should” do… but you don’t really feel like doing it. As you reconnect with your motivation in a meditative state, you are re-energized and ready to launch into action.

Want to try it? Contact Coach Wheeler for information on how you can get a copy of his Guided Results Meditation for Motivation / Focus audio file. He often does this meditation at his basketball camps or speaking engagements.

Topics related to Meditation for Student/Athletes…

Focus is critically important to your success in any endeavor. It is obvious that distractions are achievement killers.

As your brain is trained through meditation to be more mindful of things going on in your life, there is a great tool that you can use to help you focus on what is most important. It is called “W.I.N.” or the practice of asking yourself “What’s Important Now?” on a regular basis throughout your day.  Click here for an article about how to use this tool to help you W.I.N.

Another great article on meditation for basketball players can be found here… click here. An infographic from that article is worth checking out.

Bottom Line …

Meditation is an incredible tool for athletes who want to get the most out of all their training efforts. You are working hard to improve your body and sport-specific skills. Why wouldn’t you Train Your Brain for high performance as well? This article presented different types of meditation to improve how your mind works in games, the classroom and life.

Coach Wheeler is not some sort of guru on a mountain top… he is a coach who is focused on results for the players he works with on a regular basis. Want to learn more? Contact Coach Wheeler to set up an appointment. click here.

When you control your own mind, you have an advantage over the competition. You are able to tackle bigger challenges with less stress. Are you ready to try meditation for yourself?

How to become a Top Shooter in Basketball

Become a ShooterThere are 5 key parts to becoming a consistent, successful shooter in the game of basketball. They are simple to understand but only the very best players actually put in the work to become great shooters.

The 5 keys to become an excellent shooter are…

  1. Proper form
  2. Strength
  3. Repetition / Muscle Memory
  4. Game-like Practice
  5. Mental Preparation

1. Proper form can be developed using a progression of shots from close to the basket to further out. You want to get your form correct before you worry about the other aspects of shooting.  Below is a video to show you how one of the best shooters does it (notice how many shots he misses, or doesn’t miss)…

2. Strength is required to add consistency and range to your shooting. In basketball, the key muscle groups include your arms (biceps/triceps), chest/back and core muscles. Coach Wheeler has a simple workout routine that hits these muscles quickly and effectively. The key to building strength is consistency. Working with weights once in a while is not going to build your strength. In addition, lifting weights that are easy to life won’t be much help either.

3. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition. To get better as a shooter, you need to “put up shots”. This will build your muscle memory as well as the strength you need in your hands and your eye/hand coordination. How many shots are enough? 100 shots per day is over 36,000 in a year or 140,000 over 4 years of high school. That seems like a large number but there are players putting in 1000 shots per day, sometimes with the help of shooting machines like Dr. Dish or Shoot-a-way, which can add up to over 1 million shots in high school.  What is right for you? It depends on how good you want to be. Check out this short video showing a 1000 shot workout…

4. Game-like Practice means taking shots in the style that you will be required to use most often in a game. Once an opposing team realizes you can shoot, they are unlikely to let you stand in one spot and shoot away. You are going to need to move to get open, perhaps make a move or two so you can get your shot off. This all needs to be part of your practice plan so that you are prepared for game situations. I like to see players incorporating either a move and one strong dribble before taking their shot or working on their catch&shoot as if they are coming off a pick. Whatever you are going to use in a game, you need to work on, and perfect, in practice.

5. Mental Preparation is one area that many shooters forget about. How are you going to perform when the pressure is on and you have to take the shot to win the game? Or more importantly, are you going to be able to hit every wide open shot you get? We see it all the time… someone is a good shooter but they are given too much time to shoot and they start thinking about how they “should” shoot. Their head gets in the way and they miss. Shooting, at least from a mental perspective, is all about trusting your training and just “pulling the trigger”.

Dr. Bob Rotella, an acclaimed sports psychologist, talks about the Trusting vs. Training mindset. The Training mindset is when you are practicing and perhaps fine tuning your mechanics or footwork. The Trusting mindset is what you need to use in a game since thinking about your form will only make it less smooth and less natural.

5 seconds left on the clock. You have the ball…

It is important to put as much pressure on yourself in practice as possible so that you can get used to high pressure game situations. The other mental trick when you get into a game is to fall back on all the work you put in and remember that you have proven to yourself, over and over again, that you can put the ball in the hoop. Just trust your training and make it happen.

Bottom Line if you want to become a shooter …

If you combine these five keys you will become an above-average shooter over time. The key is consistency of effort.

Here is BONUS idea # 1 which I picked up from Dave Hopla, former shooting coach for the Detroit Pistons. “Keep track of your results.” Dave tracks every practice and shooting demonstration that he does and it is a great way to see your progress both in your shooting percentage (Dave shot 98% the time I saw him give a demonstration) as well as the volume of shots you are putting up. It is also a great way to track your “streak” or number of consecutive days that you have done your shooting workout. Don’t break your streak and you will be amazed by how much you can improve over time!

BONUS idea #2 is from a player that scored over 2000 points in his high school career, Tom Brayshaw. He says that you must “Master the Mundane”. In other words, you have to do the little things that are sometimes boring or mundane, over and over again, if you want to become a good shooter. The way I like to think of this is you have to motivate yourself to get out on the court and put up the shots, even when you don’t feel like it. It is precisely those times that separate the OK or mediocre players from the shooting stars. If it helps, imagine that with each practice session you are passing one more player who didn’t put in the effort. You are one step closer to being the best. Will you be the best? You never know who you will encounter on the court so be sure to bring your best effort every day.

W.I.N. – What’s Important Now?

It is a simple question… “What’s Important Now?” It is also a powerful tool for shaping / programming / improving your thinking to achieve your highest priority goals.

Lou Holtz Book - Whats Important NowThe W.I.N. approach has been used by legendary coaches such as football’s Lou Holtz and the NBA’s Pat Riley. Lou Holtz asked his players to ask themselves the W.I.N. question 25-35 times per day so they would keep themselves on track with the most important goals or activities they had as college football players and students.

Why does W.I.N. work?

“What’s Important Now?” forces your mind to consider your priorities and TAKE Action on them. Once you decide something is important, each time you ask yourself the W.I.N. question, you are reminded that NOW is the time to take action and move in the direction of your goal!

The other reason it works is the fact that “What we focus on increases”. If we focus on the negative things happening in our lives, we see more negatives. By focusing on the positives, we see that there are more good things going on than we may have thought. When you focus on your priorities and goals, you begin to see opportunities and new ways to achieve them. So why don’t we focus on the positives?

Left to itself, the mind runs whatever programs it has accumulated over the years. Unfortunately for many of us, there are plenty of self-defeating programs running around in our heads telling us things such as “you aren’t good enough”, “I’m not ready” or “Tomorrow would be a better time to start”. The “What’s Important Now” question short circuits that thinking and makes us focus on ONE thing… the most important thing. In many ways it simply bypasses our negative programming.

“What’s important now”
also tricks your mind

The other way that the W.I.N. question tricks your mind is that it automatically breaks down your biggest goals into smaller bite-sized actions or steps that you can take NOW. It is about doing something in the present rather than trying to make the huge jump into an ideal future. The “mind trick” occurs when, before you know it, you have either achieved your highest priority (and need to set a new one) or you look up and find that you are about to achieve it. By asking “What’s Important Now” on a regular basis, many times per day, you are training your brain to move toward achieving your highest priority. You are also putting blinders on so that you are not distracted by lower priority activities.

The REAL question is …

Now that you have learned about it, are you going to W.I.N.? Do you know “What’s Important Now”… for you? How are you going to put this idea to work for your life?

Please leave a comment below and tell us your plan or, better yet, tell us how the “What’s Important Now?” question has worked for you! Isn’t your life important enough to apply this powerful tool?