Skill + Effort = Achievement

Behavioral psychology tells us that the environment can and will shape human behavior, for good or for bad. As coaches, parents and/or teachers, what we focus on and reinforce with the kids that we work with will be the actions that they will choose to follow in the future.

If we prioritize and celebrate touchdowns, goals, points or victories, then the child will believe those are the things that matter and strive to light up the stat sheet. But, as Angela Duckworth points out in her book Grit, talent and skill are only a small part of the equation and it is EFFORT that is the key ingredient to reaching a higher level of achievement. We are all familiar with the adage, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" and Duckworth's work exemplifies that.

​In closing, if you see your kid giving great effort, reward and reinforce that. That is the behavior we want them to repeat. It is effort given, day in and day out, that will take you to the next level, whatever that level may be.