ANYONE CAN ENCOURAGE

The following comes from a new blog sponsored by the people at PGC called "Keys to the Gym" -- there is a ton of great stuff for players and coaches...here is a short sample:

ARE YOU RESPECTFUL?

re-spect (ri-spekt’)
Hold sacred. To regard as important. Pay attention to. A just regard for and appreciation of worth. Honor and esteem. Hold serious compliance for an observance. Rendering of honor.

RESPECT the game;
RESPECT your teammates;
RESEPCT your opponent;
RESPECT your program;
RESPECT yourself.

WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING FOR?

“I have no individual goals.  We play for one reason and that’s to win the title. Practice is more important than the games, and I will practice when I’m hurt, when 95 percent of the players in this league would sit out. I expect all of you to do the same thing. You will follow my lead.”

-Michael Jordan

WORK ALLOWS YOU TO OBTAIN AND SUSTAIN CONFIDENCE

"Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to obtain and sustain it: work."

-Jack Nicklaus

PERSEVERANCE IS THE KEY

Striving to become the first ever four-time winter Olympian in four different decades, Ruben Gonzalez put it this way:

“First comes a dream, followed by a struggle, and then there is victory. The problem is, most people give up in the struggle section and never get to sense what victory feels like. Great people have two types of courage. First, they have the courage to get started, to take a leap of faith, to take action when they have no guarantees of success. Second, once they are on their way, they develop the courage to endure, the courage to persevere. Perseverance is the key.”

From "Three Feet from Gold" by Sharon L. Lechter & Grey S. Reid

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO TO HELP YOUR TEAM SUCCEED?

The following comes from the book “The Gold Standard” written by Coach Mike Krzyzewski in which he shares his thoughts and stories about the 2008 Gold-Medal Olympic Basketball Team.

“Having players have a defensive DNA and desire goes without saying. I am ready to learn and excited to be coached by one of the best and looking forward to the thrill of a new challenge and the job of a new kill.”

“Coach, can you do me a favor?” Kobe Bryant said. “And what’s that?” I responded. “I want you to let me guard the best player on every team we face. And I promise that I will destroy him” Kobe said.

Here was possibly the greatest offensive player in the game asking me for the opportunity to play defense at the highest level. It was also his way of telling me that he was willing to adapt to help make us the best team we could become.”

I AM THE GREATEST

If life is all about "attitude" than we should all share the attitude of this young man: