Hope Is Not The Best Strategy

"I hope we do better this year."

"I hope that I start."

"I hope that we win the championship."

"I hope that I get recruited by college scouts."

Have you ever said any of those statements?  Have you ever used the word 'hope' in describing something about your athletic team or your athletic career?  Have you ever wished that something was different but did nothing about it?

Former NFL head coach and current ESPN broadcaster, Herm Edwards, once said that "Every goal needs to have a plan or else it's just a wish."

This year, do you believe that you will win, be better or start because you are finally a senior?  Or will you accomplish your goals because you have a plan for how to achieve them?

Colin Powell was the first African-American to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State when  he did so from 2001-2005.  The four-star general once said, "There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure."

Achieving success this year will not be because you are older, because you hope it happens, because there is a new coach or because so-and-so graduated.  It will be because you have a plan instead of just wishing that it happens.

I am not saying that having hope is wrong.  You should have hope.  You should have faith.  You should be optimistic. However, just being optimistic about something without a true action plan and follow through is like a Ferrari without a motor.

As practices start and your new sports season begins, you should feel good and never lose hope that this year will be the best ever.  It will be the best ever because you will make it the best ever and not just sit back and hope that it happens.  You will make it happen.

Michael Jordan once said, "There are three types of people:  those who watch things happen, those that wonder what happened and those that make things happen."  As practice begins, which one will you be?

Jamy Bechler is the executive director of U-Leadership and a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Speaker and Coach.  Contact him at CoachBechler@CoachBechler.com to find out how you or your team can be more successful.  Click here to signup for THE ENCOURAGING NEWSLETTER