1. Decide Who You Want to Be
Columnist David Brooks reminds us that identity is a choice: “you have to decide who you want to be.”
That decision plays out in every arena—home, business, or sport.
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Teams decide whether they’re satisfied with “just competing” or whether they will pursue signature wins that define their season.
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Individuals decide whether to settle for average, or to be known for relentlessness, preparation, and impact.
Signature wins don’t happen by accident. They reflect an identity decision: we are going to be the kind of team that rises in big moments.
2. Kobe Bryant as a Case Study
Kobe chose to be relentless, not only scoring, but committing to elite defense. He set his identity and lived it. He was All-NBA Defense first team nine times and second team three times.
His defensive pillars match what it takes for both signature wins and signature lives:
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Aggressive – Not waiting for the game to come to him.
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Attacking – Turning defense into offense.
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Aware – Seeing screens, rotations, mismatches.
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Energized – Sprinting back in transition, late in games.
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Focused – Locking in on the assignment.
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Adaptive – Adjusting coverages, reading tendencies.
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Prepared – Studying film, knowing opponents’ habits.
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Reading Offense – Anticipating before the ball is caught.
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Passion – Loving the grind, embracing the challenge.
3. Translating to Your Teams
Your signature wins aren’t flukes. They arise because players and coaches decided “who they wanted to be”:
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Aggressive defenders who pressure elite opponents.
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Adaptive attackers.
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Energized team defense, getting stops that demoralize rivals.
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Prepared scouting and game plans that neutralize strengths.
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Passion from leaders with urgency and pride.
That identity yields wins over opponents that define seasons and give your program credibility.
4. Lessons for Athletes, Coaches, and Beyond
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At home: Choose whether you’ll be a source of stability, patience, or encouragement.
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In business: Decide if your “signature wins” are about quarterly results or about building enduring trust and culture.
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In sport: Identity leads to behavior, behavior leads to habits, and habits yield signature wins.
Signature wins aren’t just about scoreboards. They are the outward proof of an inward decision: who we chose to be.
Lagniappe. Cellphone use on game day degrades performance. Pushback would be enormous.
Presence Alone Can Distract
Even just having a phone visible, without using it, can diminish performance on complex tasks—suggesting phones may remain mental distractions until out of sight. (Reference) TIME+1.
Bottom Line: Does Avoiding Cellphone Use Help?
Yes—there is clear evidence supporting the idea that abstaining from smartphone or social media use before training or competition:
It helps preserve decision-making accuracy and cognitive focus.
It potentially ensures better physical and technical performance, especially in skill-dependent sports.
It supports optimal recovery and sleep quality, indirectly bolstering performance sustainability.
