11 Benefits of Being Positive

Great stuff from Jon Gordon...

1. Positive People Live Longer - In a study of nuns, those that regularly expressed positive emotions lived on average 10 years longer. (The Nun Study)

2. Positive work environments outperform negative work environments. (Daniel Goleman)

3. Positive, optimistic sales people sell more than pessimistic sales people. (Martin Seligman)

4. Positive leaders are able to make better decisions under pressure. (Heartmath.org)

5. Marriages are much more likely to succeed when the couple experiences a 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative interactions whereas when the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages are more likely to end in divorce. (John Gottman)

6. Positive people who regularly express positive emotions are more resilient when facing stress, challenges and adversity. (Several Studies)

7. Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems. (Barbara Fredrickson)

8. Positive thoughts and emotions counter the negative effects of stress. For example, you can't be thankful and stressed at the same time. (Several Studies)

9. Positive emotions such as gratitude and appreciation help athletes perform at a higher level. (Heartmath.org) 

10. Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity. (Robert D. Putnam)

11. Positive and popular leaders are more likely to garner the support of others and receive pay raises and promotions and achieve greater success in the workplace. (Several Studies)

The Memory Toolbox: 75 Tips and Resources to Go from Amnesic to Elephantic

We ask our athletes to remember a lot of things- offenses, defensive adjustments, out of bounds plays, time and score situations, personnel tendencies, film review, meetings, academics, etc. etc. etc.

Coaches...please check out Daniel Strauss' article with tips on how to better teach/learn/remember! A great resource right here.


He provides details and tips on the following topics:



+ Be in the Moment
+ Create a Learning Environment
+ Use All Your Senses
+ Use Mnemonic Devices
+ Organize
+ Overlearn
+ Retain a Positive Attitude
+ Exercise Regularly
+ Manage stress
      

Quote of the Day:

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

The Four Laws of Learning Applied to Basketball

The Four Laws of Learning Applied to Basketball

-Shaquala Williams

Skill Development is a never-ending commitment to filling the gap between what a basketball player is and has the potential to be. Skill development is a learning process for players; and since good coaches are teachers first, understanding the most effective ways to teach is a great way to get the most out of players and good professional development tool.

Edward Thorndike, a Psychologist who specialized in the learning process and how to learn best in educational settings developed the “Laws of Learning.” These laws are fundamental principles of the learning process, proven to make learning more effective. Four of the “Laws of Learning,” have great parallels to coaching and highly useful for a better understanding of the most effective ways to coach players.

1. The Law of Exercise = Quality Repetition
Practice does not make perfect, but meaningful practice and repetition lead to development and improvement. Meaningful practice means players have greater focus on proper technique, acceptance of feedback and desire to correct any errors or weaknesses. Quality repetitions help athletes retain information longer, so skills eventually becomes second nature.
Focus on the quality of repetitions, not quantity

2. Law of Readiness = Engagement and Investment
Just because a player is present, does not mean they are engaged. Individuals learn best when they are physically and mentally prepared to learn. Engaged players find value and purpose in what they are doing, which keeps them motivated. Engagement made me think of a video from Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban, who compared investing time vs. spending time. When players are engaged, they are invested in their improvement.
Ask players drills they like or skills they would like to improve. This creates ownership and increased ownership creates greater engagement and investment.

3. Law of Primacy = Create Good Habits the First Time
Doing something the wrong way, creates bad habits. Players retain the first thing they learn more readily, so teach it right the first time. Focus on details and correct technique. Early in workouts players should be kept at a pace that allows emphasis on technique. Increase speed as skills are mastered because doing something full speed incorrectly, does not develop good habits or improvement.
Detail – Master the details
Speed – Perform full speed with correct technique
Contest – Perform vs. game like conditions

4. Law of Intensity = GS3
The Law of Intensity states higher intensity material is more likely to be retained. A clear, vivid learning experience teaches more than the same boring routine or experience. Make workouts visually game like by using cones, garbage’s cans or chairs. Push players out of their comfort zone to grow; choose goals just beyond their present abilities and make workouts game like.
Game Shots
Game Spots
Game Speed

Quote of the Day:

"You are the Michelangelo of your own life.
The David that you are sculpting is you.
And you do it with your thoughts."

— Joe Vitale

Quote of the Day:

"I tell my guys if they work hard every day than they don't have to worry about game plans, or where they play, or who they play, or about rankings and so on.  The quality of their work habits can overcome anything: praise, criticism, good coaching or bad coaching.  They have their daily behavior to fall back on."
- Pete Carill

Quote of the Day:

"Playing time is your responsibility. You want to play more? Bring more value to the team." 

-Kevin Eastman