Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Basketball: Shrinking Performance Gaps

Sport and business coach Alan Stein, Jr. shares a wealth of life changers. I'm on my third listen to this podcast. 

Shrink the PERFORMANCE GAP between our best self and our current self. We know how to eat, how to sleep, and how to exercise. That guarantees nothing. Eclipse where know how crosses our know that. 




Honestly self-evaluate and work "action items," the realistic dos. If I say, "exercise more" and choose run five miles a day, I'm setting an impossible bar (for my joints). Walking two miles is possible. 

Stein suggests three points that I shorten to PICK, STICK, and CHECK. He says to pick one habit, do it at least 66 consecutive days, and keep an accountability log - "shine a light on it." He modifies it using the suggestion, "never miss twice," giving us some leeway. 

Our best requires better self care, better listening, and better communication. Leading others demands we be our best. 

When I was in Pulmonary/Critical Care Training (1980s), we talked about The Bruce Jenner protocol (now Caitlyn Jenner). Becoming an Olympian requires five key inputs:

1) Exercise/training (skill)
2) Rest (sleep)
3) Diet (healthy)
4) Supplements 
5) Motivation (will) and people who care about us

That applied to lung disease rehabilitation patients, but also to us. 

Why can't we all get there? Stein argues "comfort level." We're comfortable where we are. Author David Mamet engraves a slogan on the back of a new watch, "What hinders you?" It reminds me of the famous Walt Kelly Pogo cartoon, "we have met the enemy and he is us."  

Summary: 

- Shrink performance gaps...KNOW THAT vs KNOW HOW
- Use action items.
- Be specific in followup. PICK,STICK, CHECK 
- Be our best to lead others.
- What hinders you?

Lagniappe: 



Practice what seduces you.
- Pick-and-roll
- Staggered screens
- Mismatches via screens "mouse in the house" 
- Back door plays

Lagniappe 2: What about BOB? 


Speed dribble to half court, return 2 on 2

Lagniappe 4: Find a model to copy. Aim high. 



I loved Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier as a kid. I wasn't crazy enough to think I could carry Jerry West's shoes (or any NBA player). Reminder: Shrink the gap between KNOW THAT and KNOW HOW.