I challenge you to a new conversation over dinner this week. Share around the table with others two good things that happened in your day. Reflect on the day and highlight those things with others. They can be simple or profound, but revisiting them and “celebrating” them with others will add positivity to you and those listening.

With teams, we have done “What went well” lists after games and after practices. It is so easy to feel the impact and dwell on negative things that happen to us. When we find the good things and take special note of them, we begin to build positivity and confidence. We multiply the positive.

Start this new habit this week with your family over dinner or with a friend over FaceTime. Retell the stories of the good things you accomplished or experienced. It will become a habit you thoroughly enjoy and benefit from!

​#getbetter

The NBA began to postpone games on March 11. NCAA tournament and March Madness was canceled on March 12. Today is May 19th and this week will be 10 weeks of the world stopping, adjusting, hurting, helping, reflecting, and changing before our eyes.

Be persistent to stay encouraged during this time. This routine isn’t what anyone wants, but we must remain patient and positive through this. Keep perspective about what you are grateful for and what is most important. Find things to work on to better yourself and better those around you. This will help keep us productive, and help us return to something better when it is safe for everyone to do so!

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” -Calvin Coolidge

​#getbetter

Here are a few book recommendations for the time you may be  committing to reading (a choice that will make your life better!). I outline a short reason why this is one of my top book recommendations. Links jump to Amazon where you can check out more info or buy a hard copy or Kindle version for yourself or as a gift!

For Adults:
The Slight Edge (Jeff Olson) - Game changing book about all the little decisions we make in life, which add up to our lives.

Shoe Dog (Phil Knight) - Fun read about the early days and eventual success of Nike, about perseverance, ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit.

For Parents:
Mindset (Carol Dweck) - For every parent, educator, and coach to better understand how to shape young people for success (and a little help to better understand our own understanding of feedback and failure).

For Athletes:
Toughness (Jay Bilas) - Examples of toughness learned through watching and playing with great players and coaches from Duke grad Jay Bilas.

The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay) - A novel about a boy in South Africa who learns life through boxing.

Chop Wood Carry Water (Joshua Medcalf) - Fable about becoming a better you told through a young man learning from his sensei to become a samurai warrior.

Success for Teens (John Fleming) - The teenage version of The Slight Edge mentioned above. Resource for building dreams and shaping your mindset.

Wooden (John Wooden/Steve Jamison) - Short read, short wisdoms from the GOAT.

​#getbetter