Category: Train Your Brain

Mistakes: Your Key to Winning

Mistakes are often seen as setbacks, failures, or embarrassments, but for those with a winning mindset, they are stepping stones to success. They are lessons wrapped in challenges, teaching us what doesn’t work and pushing us closer to what does.

Mistakes are an inevitable part of life, especially when striving for greatness, and learning to recognize, move past, and grow from them is crucial to building a winning mindset. Let’s explore how to turn mistakes—both chronic and one-time—into powerful tools for improvement.

Recognizing Mistakes, Especially Chronic Ones

The first step to learning from mistakes is recognizing them. This might sound simple, but it can be surprisingly difficult, especially when dealing with habitual or chronic errors. These are the mistakes we make repeatedly, often without realizing it, because they are tied to ingrained patterns of thought or behavior.

Spotting Chronic Mistakes

  • Self-Reflection: Take time to regularly reflect on your actions, decisions, and results. Journaling or maintaining a simple log of daily experiences can help you identify patterns of behavior that lead to repeated errors.
  • Feedback from Others: Sometimes, chronic mistakes are easier to spot when others point them out. Surround yourself with people who aren’t afraid to offer constructive criticism and value their input.
  • Objective Analysis: Look at your performance metrics. In basketball, for example, a coach might track turnovers or missed opportunities to identify recurring problems.

The Emotional Blind Spot

One reason mistakes go unnoticed is that we tend to justify them emotionally. We might blame circumstances, other people, or bad luck instead of admitting our own role in the outcome. A winning mindset requires humility—the ability to set aside ego and take full ownership of our actions.

Ask yourself:

  • What am I consistently doing that’s not working?
  • If I were advising someone else, what would I tell them about this behavior?
  • How can I approach this differently?

By recognizing your mistakes—especially the chronic ones—you take the first critical step in turning them into growth opportunities.

Moving Past Mistakes:
Overcoming the “Sucked-In Effect“

It’s easy to get sucked into mistakes, letting them define you or derail your progress. Dwelling on them leads to fear, doubt, and hesitation, which can prevent you from taking the next step. A winning mindset involves acknowledging mistakes without letting them consume you.

1. Acknowledge The Mistake, Don’t Avoid It

When a mistake happens, acknowledge it immediately. Avoiding or ignoring it only magnifies its impact. Own it, name it, and accept it as part of the process.

Mindfulness is a key part of recognizing and acknowledging a mistake. Here is an article if you want to learn more about how Mindfulness is related to Mistakes.

Key Mindset Shift:
Mistakes are not the opposite of success…
they are part of the journey toward Success.

2. Avoid Overthinking

Dwelling on a mistake can spiral into overthinking, which hinders progress. Instead of ruminating, ask:

  • What can I learn from this?
  • What will I do differently next time?

Focus on solutions, not problems. For example, if you miss a critical free throw in a basketball game, dwelling on it won’t change the outcome. Instead, commit to extra practice and visualization techniques to improve next time.

3. Use Mistakes as Motivation

Instead of letting a mistake discourage you, let it fire you up. Channel the frustration into action. Many athletes and successful individuals have used their greatest setbacks as fuel to prove themselves.

4. Create a Reset Ritual

Develop a ritual to help you move past mistakes quickly. This might include deep breathing, repeating a mantra, or taking a moment to visualize success. For example, some basketball players tap their chest and point upward as a way of saying, “That’s on me, and I’m moving forward.” There is a softball team that uses the gesture simulating the flushing of a toilet as a way to show that they are letting go of their mistake and sending it down the drain.

Incorporating these practices into your life, or something similar of your own design, ensures that mistakes are temporary detours, not dead ends. Learn from them and let them go.

Growing from Mistakes

Once you’ve recognized and moved past your mistakes, the final and most important step is to grow from them. Growth involves turning every error into a learning opportunity and using it to improve your future performance.

1. Learn the Lesson

Every mistake carries a lesson, but you have to look for it. Ask yourself:

  • What went wrong?
  • Why did it happen?
  • What could I have done differently?
  • How can I prevent this in the future?

Be specific. For example, if your basketball team lost a game because of poor communication on defense, analyze the breakdown and implement drills to improve teamwork.

2. Embrace Feedback

Feedback is a gift, even when it’s hard to hear. Seek out coaches, mentors, or teammates who can provide insights into your mistakes and how to address them. The more open you are to feedback, the faster you’ll grow.

3. Develop New Habits

Chronic mistakes often stem from bad habits. To grow, you must replace these with better habits. Bad habits don’t go away by themselves. If you try to stop, a “vacuum” is created and something worse might slide in to replace the bad habit. Create a new habit that pushes the old out for good.

  • Start small: Focus on one habit at a time.
  • Be consistent: Change happens through repetition. As NBA player Chris Paul says, “Stack the reps“.
  • Track progress: Celebrate small wins to stay motivated.

For example, if you habitually rush your shots, create a pre-shot routine to slow yourself down and improve accuracy. Or work on your shot so that you can get it off more quickly… and comfortably with confidence.

4. Stay Positive

Growth requires a positive mindset. Be kind to yourself. Mistakes don’t define you; how you respond to them does. Focus on your progress and remember that setbacks are temporary.

Mental Growth Example:
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, famously said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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.”

Mistakes / Team Dynamics

Mistakes don’t just happen individually; they happen within teams. A winning mindset involves creating a culture where mistakes are seen as opportunities for collective growth rather than reasons for blame. Everyone contributes to the team… and everyone makes mistakes at some point. It is part of the process and the stronger teams understand how to deal with mistakes productively.

Foster Open Communication

Encourage team members to admit mistakes without fear of judgment. This builds trust and ensures that mistakes are addressed, not hidden.

Collaborative Problem-Solving

When a mistake affects the team, involve everyone in finding solutions. For example, if a basketball team struggles with turnovers, brainstorm strategies together to reduce them.

Celebrate Growth

Recognize and celebrate when a teammate learns from a mistake and improves. This reinforces the idea that mistakes are part of the journey to success.

The Winning Mindset & Mistakes

Coach Wheeler
Coach Wheeler helps you Build a Winning Mindset

I have made plenty of mistakes. (Check out the following article if you don’t believe me.) I firmly believe that mistakes are not failures; they are opportunities. They provide clarity on what doesn’t work and pave the way for what does.

By recognizing mistakes—especially habitual ones—you bring them into the light, where they can be addressed. By moving past them quickly, you prevent them from holding you back. And by growing from them, you transform setbacks into stepping stones toward success.

Key Takeaways as part of a Winning Mindset:

  1. Recognize mistakes: Own your actions and identify patterns.
  2. Move past mistakes: Avoid the trap of overthinking or dwelling on errors.
  3. Grow from mistakes: Use every failure as an opportunity to improve.
  4. Foster a growth culture: In teams, create an environment where mistakes are learning tools, not sources of blame.

Mistakes are not the enemy. They are your coach, your teacher, and sometimes your greatest ally in building a winning mindset. Next time you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, smile, reset, and remember: every mistake is another step toward becoming a winner.

Chris Paul’s Success Mindset

Put in the Reps: How to Remove Doubt and Build a Winning Mindset

If you’re serious about success—on the court, in your career, or in life—you’ve got to watch this video from Chris Paul. In it, he delivers simple yet powerful advice that resonates far beyond basketball:

  • “Reps remove doubt.”
  • “Keep stacking days.”
  • “Everything you want is on the other side of hard.”

For those of you reading this and striving to achieve greatness, this isn’t just basketball advice; this is life advice. As a coach, I’ve seen firsthand the difference these ideas make—not just in the game but in how players (and people) approach challenges, obstacles, and opportunities.

Let’s break these ideas down and see how you can apply them to develop your own winning mindset.

Reps Remove Doubt

When I hear Chris Paul say, “Reps remove doubt,” it immediately takes me back to the practice court. I’ve seen so many players struggle with self-confidence in high-pressure situations. The truth is, doubt creeps in when you’re not prepared. And the only way to prepare? Reps.

Think about this: Have you ever hesitated in a game—second-guessed your shot, overthought a pass, or doubted your ability to defend? That hesitation comes from uncertainty. Uncertainty comes from a lack of preparation. Repetition is the antidote.

Why Reps Matter

Repetition builds muscle memory. It makes your actions automatic. When you’ve taken 1,000 shots in practice, shooting in a game isn’t a question—it’s second nature. The same goes for anything in life. Whether it’s public speaking, negotiating a deal, or learning a new skill, the more you do something, the less room there is for doubt.

Practical Application:

  • Start Small, But Start Daily. Begin with 10 minutes a day focusing on a specific skill. For basketball players, it might be free throws. For others, it could be writing or practicing a presentation.
  • Track Your Reps. Keep a journal. Log every shot, every page written, every rep completed. Progress over time is what eliminates fear.

Coach Wheeler’s Challenge: Commit to putting in 100 extra reps this week for something that matters to you. It doesn’t have to be basketball; it could be anything you’re passionate about. Show yourself how preparation can quiet the voice of doubt.

Keep Stacking Days

One of my favorite lines from Chris Paul’s video is, “Keep stacking days.” Why? Because success isn’t one big, flashy moment. It’s the accumulation of small, consistent efforts over time. One good practice isn’t enough. One win doesn’t make a season. You’ve got to stack the good days, one on top of the other, until you’re standing on a foundation of effort so solid, it’s unshakable.

The Power of Consistency

I’ve worked with players who had all the talent in the world but couldn’t stay consistent. They’d give 110% effort one day and 50% the next. Here’s the harsh truth: inconsistency kills potential. A winning mindset isn’t built on bursts of effort; it’s built on showing up and doing the work every single day.

This concept applies beyond sports. If you’re building a business, improving your health, or working toward any long-term goal, you’ve got to stay consistent. Success is about the habits you form, not the goals you set.

Practical Application FOR A SUCCESS MINDSET: How to Stack Your Days

  1. Define Your Non-Negotiables. What are the three things you must do every day to improve? For an athlete, it might be shooting drills, strength training, and film review. For someone else, it could be writing, networking, and brainstorming new ideas.
  2. Set Micro Goals. Focus on getting better by just 1% every day. That’s it. Over a year, those small improvements add up to massive growth.
  3. Celebrate the Process. Stacking days isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful. Celebrate your ability to show up, even when the results aren’t immediately visible.

Coach Wheeler’s Takeaway: Anyone can have a good day. Winners string together good days to create momentum. The more days you stack, the harder it becomes to stop your progress.

Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had players come to me frustrated—wanting to quit because “it’s too hard.” Whether it’s perfecting their jump shot, making it through a tough conditioning session, or staying mentally focused through adversity, I always remind them: Everything you want is on the other side of hard.

Why Hard Is Good

Struggle is part of the process of developing a Success Mindset. In fact, I would go as far as to say “struggle is necessary”. (I even wrote an article about “The Power of Struggle Time“.) The reason something is “hard” is because it’s forcing you to grow. If it were easy, everyone would do it, and it wouldn’t be worth achieving. When Chris Paul says that everything you want is on the other side of hard, he’s reminding us that the obstacles we face are the very things that prepare us for success.

SUCCESS Mindset Shift: Embrace the Hard

Instead of avoiding challenges, welcome them. When you’re faced with something hard, remind yourself: “This is where I grow. This is where I separate myself from the pack.”

Practical Application: Conquering Hard

  1. Break It Down. When faced with a big, intimidating goal, break it into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on conquering one step at a time.
  2. Stay Mentally Strong. Use affirmations or visualizations to stay positive. Picture yourself overcoming the challenge and achieving your goal.
  3. Find Support. Surround yourself with people who push you. A coach, mentor, or teammate can make a huge difference when things get tough.

Coach Wheeler’s Take on Motivation: Hard is where greatness happens. When you feel like giving up, remember: that’s where most people stop. Push through, and you’ll find yourself in rare company—on the other side of hard.

How to Apply These Lessons to Your Life

Chris Paul’s principles—”Reps remove doubt,” “Keep stacking days,” and “Everything you want is on the other side of hard”—aren’t just motivational quotes. They’re actionable strategies for building a winning mindset. Here’s how you can start applying them today:

  1. Choose Your Reps. Identify one area where you lack confidence. Commit to consistent, deliberate practice until doubt is replaced by skill.
  2. Stack Your Days. Focus on creating a streak of consistent effort. Use a calendar, a journal, or even an app to track your progress. Build momentum, and don’t let yourself break the streak.
  3. Face the Hard Stuff. Pick one challenge you’ve been avoiding because it’s “too hard.” Tackle it head-on, and notice how your confidence grows on the other side.

Some final thoughts on a Success Mindset
from Coach Wheeler

Winning is earned.
[That should be the title of my next book.]

Whether you’re chasing championships, climbing the corporate ladder, or improving yourself in any way, the process is the same: reps, consistency, and a willingness to embrace the hard. Chris Paul’s words are a reminder of this truth.

As your coach, my advice is simple: Stop looking for shortcuts. There aren’t any. The path to success isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Start today. Put in the reps, stack your days, and face the hard. Develop a success mindset. Your future self will thank you.

The Sprint Mentality

In the Game of Life, Recognize the Race and Sprint to Win

What are your chances of winning a race if you don’t realize you’re in one? It’s a profound question, and one worth asking after watching a high school basketball game where one team seemed completely unaware they were competing. They didn’t lose because of a lack of talent but because they failed to recognize the urgency of the moment.

This isn’t just a basketball problem. It’s a life problem. Recognizing that you’re in a race and adopting a Sprint Mentality can be the difference between success and falling behind.

The Human Race: A Call to Action

Have you ever thought about why we’re called the human race? The term suggests urgency and motion. Yet, many people don’t realize they’re in the race at all. The starting gun fires, your competition takes off, and you’re left standing, unaware or unprepared. By the time you decide to move, the gap is too great.

In basketball, this looks like teams failing to transition from defense to offense with purpose. They jog up the court, pass the ball around aimlessly, and settle for poor shots. Meanwhile, their opponents sprint, attack, and score. The difference? Awareness and urgency.

Adopting a Sprint Mentality means recognizing that life’s race has started and committing to run with purpose.

Sprint Mentality: Recognizing Sprint Moments

Life, like basketball, isn’t a continuous sprint. But there are critical moments when you need to shift gears and move with everything you’ve got. In basketball, these moments often revolve around changes in possession:

  • Defensive rebounds: Are you pushing the ball upcourt immediately?
  • Steals: Are you attacking the basket before the defense can react?
  • Turnovers: Are you capitalizing on mistakes to create scoring opportunities?

In life, sprint moments might look like this:

  • Job opportunities: Being ready to seize a career-changing chance before others.
  • Personal growth challenges: Tackling a tough project or committing to a new habit with urgency.
  • Relationships: Acting quickly to express love, forgiveness, or support when it matters most.

Recognizing these moments and acting with urgency is at the heart of the Sprint Mentality.

Life Is a Relay Race

Another way to frame life is as a relay race. You’re not running alone. Whether it’s your family, coworkers, or friends, your actions affect others. The baton gets passed, and each runner’s effort impacts the team’s success.

Here’s the twist: You don’t know if you’re the first runner, the anchor, or somewhere in between. Your job is to run your leg of the race as fast and as well as you can. Jogging through your stretch doesn’t just hurt you—it hurts the team.

Adopting the Sprint Mentality means giving your all, regardless of your position. When the baton is in your hand, the race is yours to win.

How to Develop a Sprint Mentality

What separates winners from those who fall short? It’s not just talent or preparation. It’s the mindset to sprint when it matters most. Here’s how to cultivate it:

1. Practice Urgency

In your daily life, setting small, time-sensitive goals can be transformative. These goals don’t have to be monumental; even completing minor tasks within a specific timeframe helps build the habit of urgency. For instance, set a timer for tasks such as responding to emails, completing a workout, or finishing a chapter of a book. By practicing urgency in the mundane, you prepare yourself for the moments when quick action is critical.

This mindset translates into larger opportunities in life. When a significant project or opportunity arises, the habit of urgency allows you to act decisively and efficiently. You’ll no longer hesitate, waiting for perfect conditions or overanalyzing every detail. Instead, you’ll confidently take the first step, knowing that momentum often creates its own success. Practicing urgency isn’t just about speed; it’s about building trust in your ability to respond effectively when it matters most.

Here is a link to a time management / productivity resource:

2. Visualize Key Moments

Visualization is a powerful tool for developing a Sprint Mentality. Taking time to imagine yourself in key scenarios—whether it’s delivering a crucial presentation, making a game-winning shot, or nailing an important interview—can prepare your mind for success.

This process isn’t just daydreaming; it’s a focused exercise in mental rehearsal. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and walk yourself through every detail: the environment, your actions, and the outcome you desire. This practice helps your brain feel familiar with high-pressure situations before they even happen.

The more you visualize, the more confident and prepared you become. Athletes often use visualization to imagine themselves excelling under pressure, and the same principle applies to any area of life. Whether you’re facing a boardroom or a basketball court, visualization sharpens your ability to act with precision and poise when the time comes. It’s about mentally rehearsing success so that, when the moment arrives, you’re ready to sprint.

Here is a link to a video on visualization:

3. Prepare for Transitions

Transitions are inevitable, both in life and on the court. Preparing for these shifts ensures that you’re ready to respond with agility and purpose. This preparation involves conditioning—both physically and mentally.

Staying physically fit and healthy gives you the energy and stamina to handle fast-paced transitions, whether that’s chasing a loose ball or seizing a sudden career opportunity. Similarly, maintaining mental sharpness through activities like meditation, problem-solving, and lifelong learning keeps you adaptable in the face of change.

Preparation also means having a plan for the unexpected. Life’s transitions often come without warning, but being proactive can make all the difference. Develop contingency plans, practice adaptability, and remind yourself that change is an opportunity for growth. When you prepare for transitions, you’re not just reacting to the moment—you’re anticipating it, ready to sprint forward while others are still hesitating.

4. Adopt a Winner’s Mindset

Adopting a winner’s mindset means viewing every situation as an opportunity to excel. It’s about cultivating a belief that success is possible, even in challenging circumstances.

Winners focus on solutions, not obstacles. They embrace setbacks as learning experiences and use them to refine their approach. This mindset requires intentional effort—reading motivational books, surrounding yourself with positive influences, and reflecting on your own growth.

Winners also understand the power of consistency. They know that success isn’t always about grand gestures but about showing up, putting in the effort, and sprinting when the moment demands it. By adopting this mindset, you’ll start to see challenges as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. When you approach life with the confidence and determination of a winner, you’re better equipped to sprint toward your goals and achieve lasting success.

Examples of Sprint Moments

Let’s consider some real-world applications of the Sprint Mentality:

  • In Business: Imagine a client request comes in at the last minute. The team that acts quickly to deliver quality results gains a competitive edge.
  • In Sports: A player who consistently pushes the pace during transitions forces opponents to scramble, creating scoring opportunities.
  • In Personal Life: A person who immediately pursues a newfound passion often gets further than someone who waits for the “perfect time.”

Sprint moments are everywhere. The challenge is to recognize them and respond with urgency.

The Payoff of Sprinting

Why is the Sprint Mentality so powerful?

Because most people don’t have it. They wait, hesitate, and miss opportunities. By sprinting when it matters, you gain a massive advantage—in basketball, business, and life.

Teams that embrace the Sprint Mentality dominate transitions. They rebound and push the ball before the defense sets up. They capitalize on turnovers. They’re relentless, always moving forward.

In life, individuals with the Sprint Mentality seize opportunities, respond to challenges, and achieve more in less time. They understand that success isn’t about pacing yourself—it’s about knowing when to sprint.

Closing Thoughts on The Sprint Mentality

The Sprint Mentality isn’t about running all the time. It’s about recognizing when to shift gears and giving everything you’ve got in those crucial moments.

The next time you’re on the court, at work, or facing a personal challenge, ask yourself: Am I running the race? Then run.

When it’s time to sprint, don’t hold back. That’s how you win.

Did you enjoy this article about “The Sprint Mentality”? If so, be sure to leave us a comment. You may also want to check out this article about “Speed“…
click here.

Life is Hard. Great. RU All-In?

In the grand theatre of life, every person encounters a unique blend of challenges, obstacles, and hardships. While some may view these difficulties as insurmountable barriers, others perceive them as stepping stones to greatness. This dichotomy in perspective often separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. In a world where competition is fierce and success is not handed on a silver platter, embracing the toughness of life and actively seeking out challenges can be the key to outshining your competition. The question is, are you all-in?

The Virtue of Hardship

Life is not designed to be easy. It’s a complex, intricate journey filled with ups and downs, triumphs and setbacks. Embracing this reality is the first step toward mastering the art of overcoming adversity. Hardship serves a critical purpose: it molds us, shapes our character, and fortifies our resolve. As the saying goes, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” It is through facing and conquering challenges that we grow stronger, wiser, and more capable.

The Competitive Edge

When you actively seek out difficult tasks, you set yourself apart from the majority who prefer the path of least resistance. In every field, be it business, sports, academics, or personal development, those who excel are the ones who are not afraid to tackle the hardest problems. They understand that in doing so, they gain a competitive edge. By confronting and mastering difficulties, they develop unique skills, insights, and resilience that their competitors lack.

Consider the story of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Before her rise to fame, Blakely faced numerous rejections and setbacks. However, she viewed these challenges as opportunities to innovate and improve. By persevering through tough times and continuously refining her product, she ultimately created a billion-dollar business. Her success was not a result of avoiding difficulties but embracing them and using them to her advantage.

Life is Hard. Build Resilience.

Resilience is the hallmark of those who thrive despite adversity. It is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough. Building resilience requires a mindset shift. Instead of seeing difficulties as threats, see them as opportunities for growth. Every setback is a setup for a comeback.

Developing resilience involves cultivating a few key attributes:

  1. Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook in the face of adversity helps you stay motivated and focused on solutions rather than problems.
  2. Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change allows you to navigate through challenges more effectively.
  3. Perseverance: The ability to persist in the face of difficulties is crucial. It’s about keeping your eyes on the prize and not giving up, no matter how tough the journey gets.

Life is Hard. Are You All-In?

To truly excel and outshine your competition, you need to be all-in. This means committing fully to your goals and being willing to do whatever it takes to achieve them. It’s about having an unwavering dedication to your vision and a relentless drive to overcome any obstacles that stand in your way.

Commitment to Excellence

Excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey. It requires a commitment to constant improvement and a willingness to push beyond your comfort zone. To be all-in means striving for excellence in everything you do, whether it’s a small task or a significant project.

Take the example of athletes like Michael Jordan or Serena Williams. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their rigorous training regimens, relentless pursuit of perfection, and refusal to settle for mediocrity. They understand that to be the best, you must give your best effort consistently.

COMMITTED TO Embracing Discomfort

Growth and comfort do not coexist. To achieve greatness, you must be willing to embrace discomfort. This means taking on challenging tasks, facing your fears, and stepping outside your comfort zone regularly. It’s about pushing your limits and discovering your true potential.

COMMITTED TO a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset, as defined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This mindset fosters a love for learning and resilience, which are essential for great accomplishment. People with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities to grow rather than threats to their self-esteem. This is a key aspect of dealing with, and embracing, the hard challenges in your life.

Practical Steps to Embrace Challenges

  1. Set Big Goals: Aim high and set ambitious goals that require you to stretch beyond your current capabilities. Big goals will motivate you to put in the extra effort and face challenges head-on.
  2. Break Down Challenges: Break down big challenges into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach makes daunting tasks more approachable and allows you to make consistent progress.
  3. Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from others to identify areas for improvement. Constructive criticism can help you refine your approach and enhance your performance.
  4. Learn from Failures: View failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. Analyze what went wrong, extract valuable lessons, and apply them to future endeavors.
  5. Stay Persistent: Persistence is key to overcoming challenges. Stay committed to your goals, even when progress seems slow. Remember that persistence often outlasts resistance.

    More Resources for overcoming adversity… click here.

Real-Life Examples of Overcoming Challenges

Elon Musk: The founder of SpaceX and Tesla is no stranger to challenges. From facing near-bankruptcy to enduring multiple rocket failures, Musk’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience. His ability to learn from failures and keep pushing forward has led to groundbreaking innovations in space exploration and electric vehicles.

J.K. Rowling: Before achieving worldwide fame with the Harry Potter series, Rowling faced numerous rejections from publishers. Despite these setbacks, she continued to believe in her story and persisted in her efforts. Her success is a powerful example of how embracing hardship and staying committed to one’s vision can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Reflecting on Your Journey

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey. What challenges have you faced, and how have they shaped you? Consider the times when you chose the harder path and the lessons you learned along the way. Acknowledge the strength and resilience you’ve developed through these experiences.

Now, think about your future goals. Are you willing to go all-in? Are you ready to embrace the difficulties that lie ahead and use them as opportunities to grow and excel? Remember, greatness is not achieved by avoiding challenges but by confronting them head-on with determination and grit.

Life is hard. Deal with it.

Life is hard, and that’s what makes it great. It’s the challenges we face and the difficulties we overcome that define our journey and shape our destiny. By embracing hardship, building resilience, and committing fully to our goals, we can outshine our competition and achieve extraordinary success.

So, the next time you encounter a difficult situation, welcome it with open arms. See it as a chance to prove your mettle, to grow stronger, and to rise above the rest. Are you all-in? The path to greatness awaits those who dare to embrace the hard road and give it their all.

Find Success After “I Can’t”

By Coach Wheeler

Success comes AFTER "I Can't"

As a basketball coach, there’s one phrase that has always struck a nerve with me: “I can’t.”

I remember vividly the countless times I introduced a new skill or drill to a player, only to hear those dreaded words: “I can’t do it, Coach.” It felt like they were giving up before even trying, as if they had already decided failure was the only option. But over the years, I’ve come to realize something powerful: Success often lies just beyond that “I can’t.” If we can help ourselves—or others—push past that moment of doubt, there’s a whole world of growth and achievement waiting.

Let’s explore why we get stuck at “I can’t,” how to overcome it, and how to use that turning point to find success in every aspect of life.

Why “I Can’t” Feels So Real

When we say “I can’t,” it’s usually not about a true lack of ability. More often, it’s about fear, doubt, or a lack of vision.

  • Fear of Failure: Nobody likes to fail, especially in front of others. Saying “I can’t” is a protective mechanism. It’s easier to claim defeat upfront than to risk falling short after giving it a try.
  • Self-Doubt: Many people underestimate their own potential. They assume that because they haven’t done something before, they’ll never be able to.
  • Lack of Vision: Sometimes, people simply can’t see themselves succeeding. They can’t picture the steps or the outcome, so they shut down the idea entirely.

This is why “I can’t” often sounds like “I won’t.” It’s not that they lack the physical ability—it’s that their mindset has created a mental block.

The “Can’t Point”

What's your "I Can't" Point?

I call it the “Can’t Point”: That moment when someone bumps into the edge of their comfort zone.

For a basketball player, it might be the first time they attempt a spin move or shoot a three-pointer under pressure. For someone in life, it could be learning a new skill, speaking in front of a crowd, or starting a new venture.

The “Can’t Point” is where most people stop … where they let Self Doubt keep them from moving forward.

But here’s the truth: this is where the magic happens. The “Can’t Point” is not a wall; it’s a threshold. Beyond it lies growth, success, and achievement. The challenge is getting past it.

The Role of Confidence

One of my biggest jobs as a coach is to help players see their own potential—even when they can’t see it themselves. When a player says, “I can’t,” my response is usually something like this:

“Yes, you can. I’ve seen you do tougher things before. Let’s break it down step by step. I know you’ve got this.”

It’s amazing how much of a difference confidence—whether it comes from within or from someone else—can make. A player might go from refusing to try to giving their best effort simply because I expressed my belief in them.

Here’s the takeaway for you: if you don’t believe in yourself, borrow belief from someone who does. Surround yourself with coaches, mentors, or friends who see your potential. Their confidence can bridge the gap until you develop your own.

5 Steps to Move Beyond “I Can’t”

So how do you move beyond the “Can’t Point”? It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

1. Break It Down

Big challenges feel overwhelming because we see them as a single, massive task. Break it into smaller, manageable pieces. For example, when teaching a player to execute a spin move, I don’t just say, “Spin and score.” I break it down into footwork, hand placement, and timing.

Do the same in your own life. Want to run a marathon but feel like “I can’t”? Start with a single mile… a single walk down to the corner and back. Want to master public speaking? Begin by talking in front of a small group.

Like I say in my book, “One Step At A Time”, every great accomplishment is the result of a load of small steps, each one easy to accomplish if you just take action in the direction of your dreams.

2. Reframe the Challenge

Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, focus on what you can learn. Think of it this way… Every “I can’t” is an opportunity to either succeed or to grow. Keep trying until “you can”.

Another way to reframe the challenge is to change your mindset from “I can’t” to “I haven’t done it yet.” That small shift in language, adding the word “yet” can make a huge difference. It WILL happen. It just hasn’t happened YET.

3. Visualize Success

Visualize what's beyond "I can't"

A lack of vision is a common reason people get stuck at “I can’t.” Maybe you “can’t” see how you could accomplish it (yet). If someone was wearing a blindfold would you say they “can’t” see? Or is there just something in the way of them seeing what needs to be done?

Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine yourself succeeding. Picture what it will look and feel like when you’ve accomplished the task. Visualization primes your brain for action and makes success feel more attainable.

4. Embrace the Struggle

Here’s the truth: it’s supposed to be hard.

Growth happens when we struggle and push through our current limites and overcome challenges. Instead of avoiding discomfort, accept it as part of the process of growing and lean into it.

Remind yourself that every time you overcome a “Can’t Point,” you’re getting stronger and more capable.

5. Take Imperfect Action

You don’t have to get it right on the first try. Most people don’t.

The key is to take action anyway. As I often tell my players, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Success is built on a foundation of attempts, failures, and adjustments.

Don’t let yourself get stuck at your “Can’t Point”.

Take Action. Any action is better than being stuck. If the results of your action turn out to be a “less than desirable outcome”, learn from it (#2-Reframe the Challenge) and try again!

A Real-Life Example… “I can’t make foul shots”

Let me share a story from my basketball coaching exploits. There was a young player I was coaching who struggled with free throws. Every time they stepped to the line in practice, they’d miss a few and mutter, “I can’t shoot free throws, Coach.”

One day, I pulled them aside and said, “What if I told you that you’re one small adjustment away from becoming the best free-throw shooter on the team? Let’s figure it out together.”

We spent extra time working on form, routine, and mindset. We settled on a simple routine for every shot. If you can make one free throw, you simply need to repeat that routine every time and you should never miss. The basket is not moving. You are standing in the same spot every time. Plus, the “free” part of free throw means that there is no one guarding you. There is no reason to ever miss a free throw, especially after you have practiced it … and practiced it … and practiced it… until it is the same every time!

I encouraged them to focus on progress, not perfection. Slowly but surely, they improved. By the end of the season, they were sinking free throws under pressure and grinning at the line.

What changed? They stopped saying “I can’t” and started saying “I’ll try.” That small shift unlocked their potential and gave them a chance to succeed every time they went to the foul line.

How You Can Use This

You don’t have to be a basketball player to apply these principles. The next time you catch yourself saying “I can’t,” pause and ask yourself a few questions:

  • Is it really true?
  • What’s one small step I can take right now?
  • Who can I ask for support or guidance?

Most importantly, remind yourself that “I can’t” is just a feeling, not a fact.

Success Lies Just Beyond

The phrase “I can’t” might feel like a stopping point, but in reality, it’s a starting line. Success doesn’t come from avoiding challenges; it comes from facing them head-on and refusing to quit.

As a coach, I’ve seen players go from “I can’t” to “I did it” more times than I can count. Each time, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when we push past our doubts and embrace our potential.

Remember: The moment you say “I can’t” is the moment you’re standing at the edge of greatness. Take one more step. Try one more time. That’s where success is waiting.

So, the next time you hear yourself—or someone else—say “I can’t,” smile and think: “I’m just getting started.”

Go out there and claim your success. It’s closer than you think.

The Hoo-AH! Mindset: How to Add Elite Focus and Relentless Drive

The Hoo-AH! Mindset... are you ready?

In life and in sports, there are moments that test us to our core. Moments where we question whether we have what it takes to push through the exhaustion, the doubt, and the setbacks. It’s in those moments when we need something more than just effort—we need mental grit, relentless confidence, and a winning attitude. That’s where the Hoo-AH! Mindset comes in.

More than just a word, Hoo-AH! is a battle cry born from the elite training of the U.S. Army Rangers. It represents a mentality of readiness, strength, and collective unity that has fueled some of the world’s most highly trained and disciplined soldiers. Now, this powerful mindset can inspire your approach to life, competition, and personal challenges.

But what does Hoo-AH! really mean, where does it come from, and how can you apply it to your life to level up your performance? Let’s dive in.

The Origins of Hoo-AH!

The term Hoo-AH! is a staple of the U.S. Army and, more specifically, the Army Rangers—elite soldiers who are known for their unmatched discipline, endurance, and tactical prowess. It’s believed that Hoo-AH! originated as a form of acknowledgment, a way for Rangers to say “I Hear you, I Understand, and I Acknowledge the order (I’m ready).” Over time, it evolved into something much more powerful—a rallying cry that soldiers use to affirm their resilience and their readiness to take on any challenge.

Whether they’re being asked if they’re tired, if they’re ready to face a mission, or if they’ve accomplished something monumental, the response is always the same: Hoo-AH! It’s a word that signals not only physical toughness but a mental toughness that is unshakable. It’s a commitment to never back down, no matter how hard the situation gets.

Imagine how powerful it would be if we could apply this mindset to our own lives—whether on the court, in the office, or facing personal adversity.

What Hoo-AH! Means

At its core, Hoo-AH! is about more than just saying a word; it’s about adopting a mentality that embraces challenges, embodies discipline, and fosters an unstoppable drive toward success. Here’s what the Hoo-AH! mindset really stands for:

Readiness: When you live by the Hoo-AH! mindset, you are always ready. Ready for the game, ready for the challenge, ready to push your limits. It’s about staying mentally prepared to give your best effort at all times, even when you’re tired, and even when doubt creeps in.

Mental Resilience: Hoo-AH! is the verbal embodiment of mental resilience. It’s a way of telling the world, “I’m still here. I’m not giving up.” In sports, and in life, this means you face adversity head-on, knowing that your strength comes from your refusal to quit.

Confidence Under Pressure: The Hoo-AH! mindset means that when things get tough, you get tougher. It’s about finding that inner belief when everyone else is doubting you, when the game is on the line, or when you’re on the verge of breaking down. You respond with Hoo-AH!, signaling that you are not just surviving but thriving under pressure.

Team Unity and Support: Hoo-AH! is often a collective cry, a shout that unites a group of people around a common goal. In sports, it’s the team’s shared belief that they can overcome any obstacle when they work together. It’s about having each other’s backs and knowing that your effort contributes to something bigger than yourself.

What the Hoo-AH! Mindset Does

When you adopt the Hoo-AH! mindset, it transforms how you approach every aspect of your life. Here’s how:

It Builds Unstoppable Momentum: When you live by Hoo-AH!, you develop momentum that propels you forward. Whether you’re an athlete pushing through a tough training session or someone striving for personal growth, the more you embrace Hoo-AH!, the more you push yourself beyond your perceived limits.

It Cultivates Mental Toughness: The Hoo-AH! mindset fosters an internal toughness that keeps you standing tall even when you’re faced with adversity. You become the person who looks at challenges not with fear, but with anticipation and readiness. This mental toughness becomes your secret weapon in overcoming obstacles.

It Elevates Your Team: Just like the Army Rangers who use Hoo-AH! to rally each other in the toughest of missions, you can use this mindset to elevate those around you. Whether in sports, business, or life, your commitment to never give up will inspire your team, your coworkers, and your community to do the same.

It Develops Consistency: One of the greatest challenges in any pursuit—whether athletic, academic, or professional—is staying consistent. The Hoo-AH! mindset pushes you to show up every day, even when you don’t feel like it, even when the odds are stacked against you. It becomes your daily mantra for perseverance.

How to Add Hoo-AH! to Your Life

Ready to add the Hoo-AH! mindset to your life? Here’s how you can start making it part of your personal and competitive journey:

  1. Set a Challenge
    Start by setting a challenge that will push you outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s running an extra mile, completing an advanced drill, or pushing yourself in the weight room, give yourself a goal that feels difficult. When you complete it, shout Hoo-AH!—celebrate the victory, no matter how small.
  2. Use It as a Rallying Cry
    Whenever you’re faced with a tough situation, mentally or physically, use Hoo-AH! as your battle cry. Tell yourself you’re ready. If you’re working with a team, get them to join you in saying it. Make it a point of uniting everyone around the idea that you can accomplish more together than you can alone.
  3. Push Through Fatigue
    When you feel tired, don’t give in. Let Hoo-AH! be your answer to fatigue. The next time you feel exhausted during a workout, practice, or long workday, ask yourself if you’re tired. Then respond with a loud Hoo-AH! and keep pushing. You’ll be surprised at how much further you can go.
  4. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Wins
    Hoo-AH! is about celebrating your effort, not just the final score. Anytime you put in the work, especially when it feels difficult, you’ve earned the right to say Hoo-AH!. This mindset shifts your focus from outcomes to the process, making you stronger in the long run.
  5. Make It Part of Your Daily Routine
    Start each day with a Hoo-AH! mindset. When you wake up, remind yourself that you are ready for whatever the day brings. When you go to practice, walk into the gym with the knowledge that you’ll give it your all. The more you embed this attitude into your daily life, the more it becomes second nature.


The Hoo-AH! mindset is more than just a word—it’s a way of life. It’s about readiness, resilience, and unshakeable confidence. It’s taking responsibility for what you are going to do to improve your situation. It’s about uniting your team around a common goal and using your mental and physical toughness to push through any obstacle.

So the next time you’re asked if you’re ready for the challenge, or if you’re tired, or if you’ve got what it takes, respond with the only answer that matters: Hoo-AH!

Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how you have applied the Hoo-AH! Mindset in your own life or even stories of how Hoo-AH! has helped others succeed.

Imperfect Action: The First Secret to Building a Winning Mindset

Imperfect Action leads to progress

How many times have you found yourself waiting for the perfect moment to act? Maybe you’ve said, “I’ll start when I’m ready,” or “Once everything falls into place, I’ll go for it.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The quest for perfection is a common trap that catches even the most ambitious among us. But here’s the truth: Perfection is a myth. Waiting for it is a surefire way to stay stuck.

Success doesn’t come from waiting for perfect conditions—it comes from taking imperfect action. The key to building a winning mindset is to take action now, even if you don’t feel 100% ready, even if it’s messy, uncertain, or uncomfortable. Today, we’ll explore why imperfect action is so powerful and how it’s the foundation of success.

Fear of Imperfection: The Invisible Chain

One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to take action is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being judged. Fear of making mistakes. These are the invisible chains that hold you back from achieving greatness. The truth is, fear will always be there. It whispers in your ear, giving you every reason why you shouldn’t start or why you’re not ready.

But here’s the good news: Action is the antidote to fear. The moment you take that first step, no matter how imperfect, fear begins to lose its grip. Every time you act, you prove to yourself that you can handle uncertainty. You build confidence by doing, not by thinking or planning.

As Marshall Sylver, a motivational powerhouse, often says, “Do something, even if it’s wrong.” This isn’t a call to be reckless, but a reminder that waiting for perfection is a form of procrastination. The time to act is now, not tomorrow, not next week. When you take imperfect action, you shatter the illusion that everything has to be perfect before you move forward.

Progress Beats Perfection

The world loves to celebrate perfection. But those who have built successful, winning mindsets know that progress is far more important than perfection. They understand that taking small, consistent actions—no matter how messy—leads to greater success than waiting for everything to be flawless.

Think about the most successful athletes, entrepreneurs, or thought leaders. Do you think they waited for the perfect moment to take action? Absolutely not. They moved forward despite the uncertainty. They embraced imperfection, knowing that progress, not perfection, is what fuels momentum.

In my years of coaching and building teams, I’ve seen firsthand how the pursuit of perfection can paralyze players. They hesitate, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make a move, only to watch as their chance slips away. But those who act, even when things aren’t perfect, learn and grow faster than anyone else. Taking that first step—even if it’s imperfect—puts you on the path to progress.

Momentum is Everything

Imperfect action creates momentum, and momentum is a powerful force. It’s what separates winners from those who stay stuck on the sidelines. The first step you take may not be flawless, but it creates forward motion. And once you’re in motion, it’s easier to keep going. Momentum builds confidence, and confidence leads to even more action.

The biggest mistake you can make is to let perfectionism stop you from moving forward. Each time you take a small step, even if it’s not perfect, you gain real-world experience, solve problems, and refine your approach. Success loves speed—and imperfect action allows you to move faster. While others are still perfecting their plans, you’re already in the game, learning and improving.

Marshall Sylver talks about the importance of momentum in his programs, emphasizing the need to act fast. Once you have momentum on your side, it’s tough to stop. And how do you build momentum? By taking that first step, even if it’s imperfect. That step sets everything in motion, and before you know it, you’re making progress that would have seemed impossible if you had waited.

Clarity Comes Through Action

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you take action. In fact, clarity comes through action. Many people wait for a crystal-clear vision before they start, but the reality is, the path only becomes clearer once you begin. When you take the first step, the next one becomes more obvious. And after that, the next.

This is why action is so critical. Sitting on the sidelines, overthinking, or trying to perfect every detail won’t get you any closer to your goals. Taking imperfect action, on the other hand, allows you to learn as you go. It’s through doing that you gain the insights and experience necessary to refine your strategy. You adapt, adjust, and move forward. By the time others are still working on their plans, you’ve already gained the upper hand with real-world knowledge and experience.

As Coach, I’ve seen this play out in sports time and time again. Players who hesitate, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, often miss their chance. But those who step onto the court with confidence, willing to make mistakes, find their rhythm and create success through effort and adjustment.

The Power of Imperfect Action in the Present

One of the greatest gifts of imperfect action is that it allows you to operate in the present moment. You’re not waiting for a future that may or may not happen. You’re taking control of your life now. This sense of urgency is a game-changer. When you take action now, you send a message to yourself and the world: “I’m committed. I’m serious. I’m ready to win.”

Will you always feel ready? No. There will be moments of doubt. There will be times when you feel uncertain or unprepared. But if you wait until you feel perfectly ready, you’ll wait forever. The time is now, even if it’s messy, even if you don’t have all the answers. That’s the essence of imperfect action.

As Marshall Sylver emphasizes, “Take action now!” When you act in the present, you take control of your future. You stop being a spectator in your own life and start becoming a player.

Imperfect Action Builds Mental Toughness

Imperfect action also strengthens your mental toughness. It teaches you how to move forward, even when conditions aren’t ideal. It forces you to push through fear, uncertainty, and doubt. And over time, this process builds an unshakable resilience.

Mental toughness isn’t developed by waiting for things to be easy or perfect. It’s built in the trenches, in the moments when you feel uncomfortable or unsure, but keep going anyway. This ability to act despite the obstacles in your path is what separates winners from those who stay stuck.

The key is to embrace the discomfort that comes with imperfect action. Every time you push through, you become stronger. Every time you act, despite the fear, you get closer to your goal. You learn to thrive in uncertain conditions, and that makes you unstoppable.

The First Step is Everything

One Step at a Time by Coach Wheeler. Coming soon to Amazon.com. Leave a comment for a free digital copy.

Here’s the final piece of the puzzle: The first step is everything. You don’t need to see the whole path right now. You just need to take that first step, no matter how imperfect it is. Once you do, everything starts to fall into place. You learn. You adapt. You grow.

Imperfect action frees you from the pressure of knowing all the answers. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about moving forward, one step at a time. And the beauty of imperfect action is that it creates opportunities you wouldn’t have seen if you had waited.

So, what’s the one thing you can do today? What’s one small action you can take right now, even if it’s imperfect? Don’t wait for the perfect moment because that moment may never come. Act now, even if it’s messy. Because imperfect action beats perfect inaction every single time.

Success Favors the Bold

A winning mindset isn’t built on waiting for the right moment; it’s built on taking action, learning from mistakes, and moving forward despite the challenges. Success favors the bold, those willing to take imperfect action and adjust along the way.

So, what are you waiting for? The time to act is now. Take that first step today, no matter how imperfect. Because each imperfect step brings you closer to your goal. And in the end, that’s what winning is all about—moving forward.

Let’s get to work.

Ericksonian Stories (ES): Unleashing the Power of Conversational Hypnosis Stories

A Key Method for Building a Winning Mindset

In a world inundated with relentless stimulation and constant pressures, the quest for mental resilience and a winning mindset has never been more crucial. At the heart of this journey is the transformative power of storytelling, particularly through the lens of Ericksonian stories (ES). As a coach, speaker, and curator of narratives that empower and enlighten, I’ve integrated the essence of Ericksonian principles into stories designed to subtly shift thinking patterns and inspire profound personal growth. In this post, I will delve into why Ericksonian Stories are instrumental in building a winning mindset, and how they can be a game-changer in your personal and professional life.

Ericksonian Stories

The Foundations of Ericksonian Conversational Hypnosis

Before understanding the impact of Ericksonian Stories, it is essential to grasp the basics of the methodology it employs. Developed by Dr. Milton H. Erickson, Ericksonian conversational hypnosis is a psychotherapeutic approach that is radically different from traditional hypnosis. Unlike the directive techniques of classical hypnosis, Erickson’s method is characterized by its gentle, permissive, and often indirect approach. Erickson believed that the unconscious mind is always listening and that it could be guided toward healing and change through the use of stories, metaphors, and indirect suggestions. This method bypasses the conscious mind’s natural defenses, making it easier to influence deep-seated beliefs and behaviors without resistance.

In Ericksonian hypnosis, the focus is on engaging the unconscious mind in a way that feels natural and unforced. Rather than issuing commands or directives, the storyteller uses carefully crafted narratives that resonate on a personal level, allowing listeners to draw their own conclusions and insights. This approach empowers individuals to discover solutions and new perspectives on their own terms, fostering a sense of ownership and internal motivation—critical components of a winning mindset.

Why Storytelling Matters in Building a Winning Mindset

Storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful tools for learning and personal development. Stories are not just a form of entertainment; they are a means of transmitting knowledge, values, and lessons across generations. When we hear a story, we don’t just listen passively; we engage emotionally and intellectually, placing ourselves in the narrative, relating to the characters, and internalizing the message.

A winning mindset is not just about motivation or positivity; it’s about having the right mental frameworks and attitudes that enable you to overcome obstacles, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward toward your goals. Stories, particularly those designed with Ericksonian principles, help shape these mental frameworks by embedding powerful, transformative ideas in a way that feels organic and self-driven.

How Ericksonian Stories Foster a Winning Mindset

Now that we understand the mechanics behind Ericksonian conversational hypnosis, let’s explore how these stories can be pivotal in developing a winning mindset.

Cultivating Resilience Through Metaphor and Symbolism

One of the key elements of Ericksonian Stories is the use of metaphors and symbols. These tools allow listeners to connect with complex ideas on an intuitive level. For example, a story about a tree that bends but doesn’t break during a storm can symbolize resilience. As you listen, you unconsciously start to internalize the message that flexibility and adaptability are strengths. Over time, this lesson becomes part of your mental toolkit, ready to be applied when you face challenges in real life.

Encouraging Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

Ericksonian Stories are designed to prompt self-reflection. Rather than offering explicit advice, they invite you to consider your own experiences and perspectives. For instance, a story about a character who overcomes fear by gradually facing it in small steps might inspire you to think about areas in your life where you can take similar incremental steps toward growth. This process of introspection is vital for building a winning mindset, as it encourages continuous self-improvement and a deeper understanding of your motivations and behaviors.

Reframing Challenges as Opportunities

A critical aspect of a winning mindset is the ability to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. Ericksonian Stories often feature protagonists who face significant obstacles but ultimately find ways to turn these challenges into stepping stones toward success. By listening to these narratives, you begin to see your own struggles in a new light—not as insurmountable barriers, but as opportunities to learn, adapt, and emerge stronger.

Enhancing Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

Creativity and problem-solving are essential components of a winning mindset. Ericksonian Stories stimulate these abilities by presenting scenarios that require creative thinking and unconventional solutions. As you engage with these stories, your mind naturally begins to explore new ways of approaching problems, both within the narrative and in your own life. This enhanced creativity can lead to innovative solutions and a greater capacity to navigate complex situations.

Building Confidence and Self-Efficacy

Confidence is a cornerstone of a winning mindset. Ericksonian Stories often depict characters who start with self-doubt but gradually build confidence through their experiences. As you identify with these characters, you begin to absorb their journeys as your own, bolstering your belief in your ability to achieve your goals. This increase in self-efficacy—your belief in your ability to influence events and outcomes in your life—is crucial for taking bold actions and persisting in the face of adversity.

Reducing Stress and Enhancing Focus

The indirect, soothing nature of Ericksonian Stories also serves to reduce stress and enhance focus. A calm mind is more resilient, better able to concentrate, and more effective in decision-making. By regularly engaging with these stories, you cultivate a mental environment that is conducive to maintaining a winning mindset, even in high-pressure situations.

Choosing the Right Ericksonian Story for You

With a better understanding of how Ericksonian Stories can contribute to a winning mindset, the next step is to choose a story that resonates with your current needs or challenges. At our podcast page, you’ll find a variety of stories categorized by theme, such as overcoming fear, building confidence, or fostering creativity. Each story is designed with specific mental and emotional benefits in mind, allowing you to select one that aligns with where you are in your personal growth journey.

Here’s how to choose your first story:

Identify Your Current Challenge: Consider what aspect of your mindset or life you want to improve. Are you struggling with confidence? Facing a difficult decision? Looking to boost your resilience? Knowing your challenge will help you select a story that speaks directly to your needs.

Browse by Theme: On my podcast and YouTube channel, you’ll find stories listed by themes that address common challenges and goals. Read the descriptions and see which story resonates with you.

Start with What Feels Right: Sometimes, the best approach is to trust your intuition. If a particular story title or description catches your eye, start there. The narrative that draws you in is likely the one that will have the most impact.

Integrating Ericksonian Stories into Your Routine

To fully harness the power of Ericksonian Stories in building a winning mindset, consider integrating them into your daily or weekly routine. Here are some tips for making the most of these narratives:

Listen During Quiet Times: Find a time when you can listen without distractions—perhaps during your morning routine, a lunch break, or before bed. This will allow you to fully engage with the story and absorb its lessons.

Reflect After Listening: Take a few minutes after each story to reflect on what it meant to you. How does the story relate to your life? What insights did you gain? This reflection is where the real growth happens.

Discuss with Others: Sharing and discussing the stories with friends, colleagues, or a coach can deepen your understanding and reinforce the lessons. It’s also an excellent way to build a supportive community focused on personal growth.

Revisit Stories as Needed: Sometimes, a story will resonate differently at different points in your life. Don’t hesitate to revisit stories that you’ve heard before; you may find new insights that you missed the first time.

The Broader Impact of Ericksonian Stories

While the primary goal of Ericksonian Stories is to foster a winning mindset, their impact can extend far beyond personal growth. These stories can also influence how you interact with others, approach your career, and contribute to your community. By cultivating a mindset rooted in resilience, creativity, and confidence, you’re better equipped to inspire and lead those around you. Whether you’re a leader in your field, an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone simply striving to be their best self, the principles embedded in these stories can serve as a foundation for broader positive change.

Some final thoughts:
The Journey Toward a Winning Mindset

Building a winning mindset is a journey—one that requires ongoing effort, reflection, and growth. Ericksonian Stories offer a powerful tool to support this journey, providing the mental and emotional nourishment needed to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. By engaging with these narratives, you not only entertain and educate yourself but also plant the seeds for lasting personal transformation.

I invite you to explore the articles related to these Ericksonian stories at www.CoachWheeler.com or listen to the stories via our podcast on Spotify and YouTube so you can begin integrating them into your life. Whether you’re just starting on your path to personal growth or looking to deepen your existing practices, Ericksonian Stories can be a catalyst for change, helping you to cultivate the mindset needed to win in every aspect of life. Let’s embark on this journey together—one story at a time.

Levels of Winning . . .

with Coach Dave Wheeler

Taking over a losing team is like inheriting a ship with holes in the hull—it’s taking on water, it’s slow, and it feels like it’s on the verge of sinking. As a coach, you’re tasked with not only plugging those holes but also getting that ship moving swiftly toward victory. It’s not a small challenge. The team comes with bad habits, weak skills, and mental control issues—focus, emotional control, frustration, anger—all of which have kept them anchored in a cycle of losing. Their effort and conditioning levels are probably less than ideal, too.

But let’s be clear: losing sucks. There’s no sugar-coating it. Whether you’re a coach or an athlete, repeated losses can be demoralizing, leading to doubt and frustration. The temptation to give up is real, but the journey from a losing culture to a winning one is not just possible—it’s achievable if you commit to a structured approach. This journey can be broken down into what I call “The Levels of Winning,” a progressive roadmap that takes a team from the depths of defeat to the heights of consistent victory.

Wheeler's Winning Basketball Pyramid

Level C:
Improving Focus, Conditioning, and Skills

The first step in transforming a losing team is to focus on the fundamentals: Mental Focus, Conditioning, and Key Skills. At this stage, the goal is not necessarily to win games but to set the foundation for future success.

Mental Focus

One of the most critical issues in a losing team is a lack of focus. Players may have developed bad habits, such as not listening during practice, losing concentration during games, or getting easily distracted by emotions or external factors. As a coach, your first priority is to instill a sense of discipline and concentration in your players. This can be achieved through structured practices that emphasize attention to detail and mental toughness. For instance, drills that require players to react quickly to changing situations can help improve focus and decision-making.

Conditioning

Another common issue with losing teams is poor conditioning. A team that lacks endurance will falter in the final minutes of a game, no matter how well they play initially. Improving conditioning is non-negotiable. This involves not only physical training but also mental conditioning—teaching players to push through fatigue and stay mentally sharp when they’re physically exhausted. Implementing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or endurance-based drills can help build the physical stamina required for sustained performance.

Skills Development

At this level, skill development is about going back to basics. This might mean re-teaching fundamental techniques like shooting, passing, dribbling, or defending. It’s crucial to ensure that players are not just participating in drills but are also understanding the “why” behind each exercise. Skills are developing when players start executing in games what they’ve been learning in practice—whether it’s successfully running plays, applying pressure defense, executing fast breaks, or setting effective traps.

As a coach, it’s essential to celebrate small victories at this stage. When a player successfully executes a new skill in a game, it’s a sign of progress. These moments build confidence and create a positive feedback loop, encouraging further effort and improvement.

Level B2:
Competitive Effort

Once the team has made progress in focus, conditioning, and skills, they often find themselves in close games. They may still lose more than they win, but there’s a noticeable shift—they’re competitive. This stage is characterized by increased effort and the ability to win parts of the game, such as a quarter or a half, even if the overall result is a loss.

Good Effort

At Level B2, effort is no longer a sporadic occurrence but a consistent theme. Players are beginning to take pride in their work ethic, pushing themselves and each other to higher standards. They’re competing hard every minute of every game, regardless of the score. This competitive effort is the foundation upon which winning is built. It’s about teaching the players that success isn’t just about the final score—it’s about winning each moment, each possession.

Winning Parts of the Game

Although the team may still lose, they begin to win quarters or halves. This is a significant milestone because it shows that the team is capable of executing a game plan effectively for extended periods. The challenge at this level is to maintain focus and effort throughout the entire game, rather than just in spurts. Coaches should emphasize the importance of consistency and perseverance, reminding players that winning quarters is the first step toward winning games.

Level B1:
Over the Hump

This is the stage where a team begins to experience more frequent success. They’ve “overcome the hump” and start to win close games that they might have lost before. Confidence begins to build, and with it, a crucial shift in mentality occurs—the team starts to believe they can win, even in high-pressure situations.

Winning Close Games

At Level B1, the team has learned how to handle crunch time. They no longer crumble under pressure; instead, they thrive in it. Winning close games is a skill in itself, requiring not only physical execution but also mental toughness and strategic awareness. Players must trust each other and their ability to perform in critical moments. Coaches should focus on situational practices—like late-game scenarios—to ensure the team is prepared for anything that comes their way during a game.

Crunch Time Confidence

Confidence is the key to success at this level. A team that believes in its ability to win is dangerous. This confidence is built through experience—by repeatedly finding themselves in tight situations and learning how to navigate them successfully. It’s important for the coach to reinforce this confidence by highlighting past successes and encouraging players to trust their training and instincts.

Level A:
Consistent Winning

Reaching Level A is the ultimate goal—a stage where winning becomes a habit rather than an exception. At this level, the team not only wins but does so convincingly. You are blowing out opponents by 20+ points and doing so consistently.

Blowouts and Dominance

When a team reaches Level A, they’re not just winning—they’re dominating. Blowouts happen when a team is firing on all cylinders—offense, defense, and everything in between. The team has developed a winning culture, and the players expect to win every time they step on the court. This mindset shift is critical. The fear of losing is replaced by the expectation of victory, which drives the team to perform at a high level consistently.

Maintaining Consistency

Consistency is the hallmark of a winning team. It’s not about peaking for one game but about sustaining a high level of performance across the entire season. This requires relentless effort in practice, continuous skill development, and unwavering mental toughness. Coaches should keep pushing the team, reminding them that there’s always room for improvement, even when they’re winning consistently.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Give Up

Turning around a losing program is never easy. It’s a process that requires patience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the potential of the team. There will be setbacks, moments of doubt, and possibly an extended period of losing. But as long as you stay committed to the process and keep pushing your players to improve, the wins will come.

Win or Learn

One of the most important lessons to impart to your team is the concept of “Win or Learn.” In the early stages, when losses are more common than wins, it’s crucial to frame each game as a learning opportunity. What went well? What needs to be improved? By focusing on continuous improvement, rather than just the outcome, you help your players develop a growth mindset—a belief that they can always get better with effort and practice.

Set Clear Expectations

From day one, it’s essential to set clear expectations for your team. These expectations should cover everything from effort and attitude to punctuality and respect. By establishing a standard for everything, you create a culture of accountability and discipline. Rules are important, but standards are what sustain a winning culture. These standards should apply to everyone—no exceptions. When players understand that everyone is held to the same standard, they’re more likely to buy into the program and push themselves to meet those expectations.

Some Final Words from Coach…

“The Levels of Winning” is not just a theoretical framework; it’s a roadmap to success. By focusing on improving focus, conditioning, and skills, cultivating competitive effort, learning to win close games, and finally achieving consistent dominance, a coach can transform a losing team into a powerhouse. But remember, this transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, hard work, and a steadfast belief in the process.

As a coach, your job is to guide your team through these levels, celebrating the small victories along the way and never giving up—even when the going gets tough. Because in the end, it’s not just about winning games—it’s about building a culture of excellence, where every player strives to be their best, both on and off the court. And that’s the real victory.

About the Author:
Coach Dave Wheeler

Coach Dave Wheeler

Coach Dave Wheeler is a seasoned basketball coach with a proven track record of developing top-tier talent across multiple levels of the sport. Recognized as the #1 basketball development coach in Montana for the past two consecutive years by Coachup.com, Coach Wheeler has honed his craft through extensive experience at the middle school, high school, AAU, and college levels.

His expertise in building winning programs is well-regarded, making him a sought-after coach for teams looking to turn their fortunes around. Currently, Coach Wheeler is in the process of interviewing for his next head coaching position (2024-25 season) in the Bozeman / Belgrade / Livingston, Montana area where he aims to bring his winning philosophy and experience to a new team that is hungry for success.

Wheeler's Winning Basketball Pyramid

Coach Wheeler can be contacted by leaving a comment below. He sees all comments and looks forward to hearing from you.

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.