"(S)he's a pro's pro." What does that mean for a student-athlete? What separates one player from another? Develop a temperament and habits that model excellence. Professional behaviors cross disciplines. How you approach basketball is how you live your life.
Be on time. Younger players have less control. They rely on parents and parents have "real-life" constraints, schedules, multiple jobs. I remember a time when my father called to say he couldn't get me a ride to a 6:00 practice. I had twenty minutes to run two miles not to be late. I wasn't but then I had to practice. Luckily, I was in shape.
When asked about keys to success in acting, Helen Mirren answered, "Be on time. Don't be an a*hole."
Take care of business. Take ownership of family matters and academics. Be responsible for time management, proper sleep, nutrition, and hydration. "Discipline determines destiny." Deserve success.
Be a great teammate. Collaborate and communicate at high levels. Everyone can't be a great player. Each player decides whether she is a great teammate.
Embrace your role. Be a star in your role. That doesn't mean not working to expand it when possible. If you're playing behind an All-State player, taking their minutes probably won't happen. But prepare and practice hard and you might find the coach finds a way to get you on the floor. "Do more to become more; become more to do more." It's that unrequired work that separates ordinary from special players.
Be prepared, physically and mentally. When your chance comes, seize the moment. When you don't understand the core concepts of your team's offense and defense, how can you rise to the occasion?
Be fully engaged at all times. FAA, Bob Woodward's term - focus, act aggressively. If you're on the bench, study what is working or holding your team back. Whom will you defend if you get into the game?
Impact the game. "Don't cheat the drill." Find ways to make a difference. Last year on the WNBA Champion Mystics, Shey Peddy had short minutes but also worked as an Assistant as Video Coordinator. This year, after injuries, she has a bigger role as backup point guard.
Think at the next level. Corinthians shares, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." As a reserve, think as a starter. As a starter, think as an assistant coach. As an assistant, think as the head coach. As a head coach, think as an elite coach. When we watch a college or professional game, think along with the coach. Do they need a substitution, tactical change, timeout? Keep expanding your toolbox.
Summary:
- Professional behaviors cross disciplines.
- Collaborate and communicate.
- FAA (Focus, act aggressively)
- Do unrequired work.
- Think at the next level.
- Deserve success.
Suggested reading:
Atomic Habits, James Clear (designing your life)
Tools of Titans, Tim Ferriss (how elite performers think)
Lagniappe: Without a plan there is no clarity. "Tell the story of why you failed" (to yourself) before you start.
What we do is what we believe and what we become (our identity). Habits effect change.