A Lesson From Basketball

I am a huuuuuge basketball fan and in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd hear a basketball announcer say something that is in complete alignment with my philosophy in life and something I emphasize over and over again in my coaching practice.

During a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game the announcer was talking about a particular player who always has a good time, whether he's on the bench or on the court - Ronny Turiaf. He talked about the fact that there are players in the league who only focus on what's going wrong during a game. Why things aren't working. But Ronny isn't one of them. He's the player that looks at what is working. And it's that enthusiasm and attitude that can bring out the best in his teammates and help them shift their mindset to make the changes necessary to improve their situation.

To watch Ronny on the bench is as much fun as to watch him on the court. It doesn't seem to matter how ridiculous he may look. Whatever joy he's feeling, he's going to show it. Whatever encouragement needs to be given he's giving it - including to himself! It's obvious he loves life and he's looking for what is working in the moment.

Life, like basketball, is a game to be played when you're willing to step onto the court and play full out. No, you're not always going to make all your shots. And sometimes there's going to be bumps and bruises along the way to making your shots. But the more you continue to focus on what is working instead of what's wrong, the more shots your going to make and the more fun you're going to have in the process.

Why not take a few moments right now to list everything that is working in your life. And remember, it's not just about the big 3 point shots, the easy layups are just as significant.