Sunday, August 20, 2023

Basketball and "The Bear"

Art imitates life. Take lessons every day. Don't expect deep meaning every second but "see it" when you see it.

"The Bear" is a Hulu series about the inner workings of a restaurant. Moreover, it celebrates the frustration of pursuing excellence. The language is harsh. 

"In order to get better, you change limits...figure out the solution." - Coach Mike Krzyzewski

"We're not children. It's okay to make mistakes...but we need to own up to them with immediacy, integrity, and honesty." 

"We can't operate at a higher level without consistency." Consistent results demand consistent focus and effort.  

"It would be weird to work at a restaurant and not completely lose your mind." It would be weird to coach and not lose your mind. 

"I want to cook for people and make them happy and give them the best bacon on earth." "Cooks cook to nurture people." Coaches coach for the same reason.

"Do you ever think about purpose?" Keep purpose above passion.

"Just be confident about it. Don't second-guess yourself." Eventually, it has to flow to work. 

"How'd you get good at this?" "I made a lot of mistakes." Leave your comfort zone. 

"I got better than I ever thought I could be, just by trying to keep up with him." 

"Most of the incredible things I've eaten haven't been because the skill level was incredibly high or there's loads of mad fancy techniques. It's because it's been really inspired." Allow yourself to be inspired. 

"It helps to have good people around you, too." Collaborate. 

"Every night you make somebody's day." I want to see beautiful basketball. Someday it might happen. 

"It's your ship now, Captain." Lead in your moment. 

"Every second counts." Be fully invested at all times. 

"Let it rip." I keep this reminder under my computer screen at work. It's going to be frustrating. Keep going. 

Don't cry because we're not the best. Just keep working to be our best. 

Lagniappe. Develop. 

Lagniappe 2. "Read 'em and beat 'em."