Your job is to build a Fortress of Swagger. The pitcher’s job is to knock bricks down. The last thing we want to do is help that guy. Our negative self-talk is the same trash talk a pitcher would throw at us, so let’s put that on the shelf.

The job today is to lay brick.

One at a time. From the time you start warming up to the time you complete your at-bats.

Bad bounces, bad calls, and unlucky outcomes will happen.

Providing our young athletes with those readymade excuses, however, robs them of the chance to practice self-reflection and deprives them of the learn the skill of coaching themselves.

‘Constructive feedback’ is brutally difficult for most adults to receive.

If someone is telling you what to do at every step, your ability to anticipate will suffer. Your mind will have plenty of time to drift.

Focus. Anticipation. Responsibility.

All important factors in success that coach’s remove by moving the chess pieces instead of telling the chess pieces how they can move.

If it’s something you love, don’t give up because of physical short-comings. Stay competitive by getting smarter about the game.

Learn resiliance. Learn to lead. Learn what your competitors will do before they think of doing it.

Going back to first principles (i.e. what are the things I believe to nearly always be true) helps provide a sturdier foundation upon which you can lead. It sees the best in others.

Leading has to start there. Otherwise, why would someone follow?