“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”

Cliche quotes aside, reading is crucial to personal growth, and finding out what to read and making time to do it is a must! Consider what you are reading (for fun or for growth?) and when are you making the time to do it. Spending time with the right books and articles can really change the way you think about things in your life.

Warren Buffett supposedly spends 80% of his day reading. Start small, but add more reading to your daily routine. Maybe it’s ten pages before bed each night. Or wake up a little early and read 20 minutes in the mornings. Commit to a new book this month. Find what works for you and dive in to some independent learning from a great book.

Here are a few suggestions for the new year and your new reading plan!
-The Slight Edge - great read about how our choices add up to the life we get. We have influence over the direction of our lives, but it is over time, decision to decision.
Favorite quote: “When you make the right choice, you won’t see the results. At least, not today.”
https://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Turning-Disciplines-Happiness/dp/1626340463

-The Go-Giver - fable about business but actually about life. How to give more to those around you (and in turn, actually receive more out of life).
“You give, give, give. Why? Because you love to. It’s not a strategy, it’s a way of life.”
https://www.amazon.com/Go-Giver-Expanded-Little-Powerful-Business/dp/1591848288

-Pound the Stone - Story about a basketball player who faces looking in the mirror to overcome adversity, become a better person, and return to his team. (Great HS athlete read)
“It’s about who you’re becoming, not what you’re achieving.”
https://www.amazon.com/Pound-Stone-Lessons-Develop-Mastery/dp/0692887628


-Daring Greatly - About vulnerability and shame and how we can all live with a healthier mindset towards ourselves and others. By researcher Brene Brown.
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419

​#getbetter

This is one of my favorite quotes and is so important to share with young people. Growing up in sports, school, and social life, everything seems like it is based on comparing where and who you are to others. But what wisdom and maturity teaches you is that the only comparison you need is with yourself yesterday, and that you are growing and getting better.

Everyone has a different path. Comparing where you are in your career, your craft, or your life to another is like apples to oranges, so don’t waste time getting caught up in the emotions it brings. Each person brings different gifts, and the most important thing to accomplish is maximizing those gifts as an individual. You are the only “you”!

We cannot be completely ourselves and happy with who we are if we are constantly comparing to others. But if we love ourselves and acknowledge our growth, our joy can grow and we can thrive. Give a quick scan of your mindset when it comes to your relationships, your job, your life stage, and your health, and make sure you compare to yesterday, not to others. This will set you up for success!

#getbetter

Listen to Coach K talk about comparison holding you back:
https://youtu.be/bU09Y9sC7JY?t=154

What do you do if you get into a shooting slump during your season? Shooters shoot right? So besides continuing to find your open shots in games, what can you do to prepare and be confident when your field goal percentage drops?

-Get in the gym. Do a little extra work by yourself and make shots. Form shooting and putting up shots in an empty gym will reset your mechanics and lift your confidence so you feel good about being a shot maker again.
-Visualize your performance. Close your eyes and literally play the game out in your head the night before. Play your best game and see yourself making shots from all your game spots.
-Create some easy buckets. Confidence is a tricky thing, and you will build it in a game with some easy shots that go through the net. Get to the rim at the start of the game, get to the free throw line, and attack the offensive glass for some easy put backs. Now the jump shot will feel lighter.
-Self talk is key. Great shooters have a short memory when they miss. They are always future focused, ready for the next shot. Play within your skill set and your teams’ offensive game plan, but stay ready to hit the next open shot. Tell yourself you are a great shooter and that you are going to make every shot you take. Believe in yourself and tell yourself that you believe!

Go get buckets.

#getbetter