“Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one’s self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all.”
― Dr. Thomas Szasz

Dedicated beginners often approach learning new skills better than many experts. The beginners focus on fundamentals. They observe and emulate the example of more experienced people. They seek guidance and feedback. They stay humble.

If you find yourself stuck on a plateau and not making progress, go back to the beginning. Go back to how you started, rekindle that fire you had in the past, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Remember, progress isn’t always linear. Stay committed to growth and improvement, one step at a time.

“A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with — a man is what he makes of himself.”
― Alexander Graham Bell

If you seek strength, acknowledge your weaknesses.

If you seek honor, confront chaos.

If you seek courage, face fear.

If you seek respect, be humble.

If you seek confidence, challenge yourself.

If you seek mastery, practice like a beginner.

If you seek independence, learn discipline.

If you seek adaptability, don’t quit.

If you seek wisdom, learn from failures.

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value. He is considered successful in our day who gets more out of life than he puts in. But a man of value will give more than he receives.”
― Albert Einstein

Whatever team you’re on, family you’re in, or customer you’re serving, always add value. Focus on adding value instead of doing the minimum to get by.

Add value as a father or mother.

Add value as a brother or sister.

Add value as a son or daughter.

Add value as a teammate or coworker.

Add value as a coach or player.

Add value in sales and service.

Add value as a leader or guide.

When you focus on adding value at all times, the people around you will flourish and you will become the best version of yourself.

“May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.”
― Roman Missal, EV 14

May you experience the light of the Lord in your mind, heart, and soul today and always!

“A good coach can change a game; a great coach can change a life.”
― John Wooden

Bad coaching can make a good player look bad, but good coaching can’t make a bad player look good. Oh, sure, good coaching can utilize limited skills and maximize potential. It can develop and draw out the best in a player, but it cannot fundamentally change a player’s abilities.

Good coaching is part of the equation, but the coach doesn’t make the plays. The coach doesn’t run, skate, or jump. The coach doesn’t pass, catch, swing, or shoot.

On the other hand, a bad coach can drag down the whole team. He can make the game much more difficult for his team. He can fail as a leader, a strategist, a motivator, and a mentor.

When you build a team, you need talent and coaching. You need star power and role players, and both need to be utilized and put into a position to succeed.

Oh, and, this post isn’t about sports.

“At the end of the day, I want to be the best teammate I can be.”
― P.K. Subban

Elite teams are not just a collection of talented people, but rather a cohesive unit where each member is dedicated to the team’s success. Teamwork, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving difficult goals.

Individual skills are important, but they are amplified when combined with the power of a well-functioning team. Good teammates compensate for each other’s weaknesses, leverage their collective strengths, and push each other to perform at their best.

“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
― Francis Bacon

When opportunity knocks, some people hide in a corner.

Other people say, “Go away.”

A few answer the door out of curiosity.

But leaders aren’t at home. They didn’t wait for opportunity to arrive. They’re getting after it right now and creating their own opportunities.

“People talk about pressure. Yeah, there’s pressure. But I just look at it as fun.”
― Derek Jeter

Some people face the pressure and run away.

Some people face the pressure and freeze.

Some people face the pressure and fight back.

But some people face the pressure and get stronger, shine brighter, and emerge transformed. They use it as fuel to push boundaries and break barriers. They redefine their limits and achieve remarkable feats.

“Somebody said that it couldn’t be done…”
― Edgar Albert Guest, It Couldn’t Be Done

Do what you can’t.

Do what you’re afraid of.

Do what you’re not qualified for.

Do what’s impossible.

Do what’s difficult.

Do what challenges you.

Do what pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Do what others say can’t be done.

“There are good days and there are bad days, and this is one of them.”
― Lawrence Welk

Often, at the end of the day, I find myself metaphorically battered, beaten, and bloody, but still standing.

Those are good days.

Those are the days when the world keeps hitting, but I stay in the fight. Sometimes I fall, but I get back up. I take the hits and keep moving forward. I refuse to quit.

Those are good days.