Do What We Do

​Good Morning!

I had the opportunity to chat with the trainer of a former world champion this week and our conversation quickly went to preparing for competition.

As we were going back and forth on things we eventually discussed a concept made famous by the great basketball coach John Wooden. Wooden didn't see much value in watching film of their opponents. He thought, if we played poorly and didn't do the things that we practiced, then that is on us. It doesn't matter what our opponent is doing if we are playing like garbage. 

The focus of their practice sessions and mindset was to control what they could control. They had no say in what the opposition does, they could only react and trust their training.

This boxing trainer then told me they prepared exactly the same way. When they got ready for fights, they didn't spend hours studying the opponent looking for holes. This analysis could lead to paralysis of the mind and slow down the fighters ability to react. Instead, they sparred with a variety of fighters with each having their own unique style so that the boxer can be accustomed to just about anything. The goal was to have no surprises but if they did present themselves, then the fundamentals and the groundwork that they laid in training should be able to handle anything the opponent throws their way. 

For anyone reading this, we can learn a lesson from this. There is only one thing that we have control over and that is the person looking back at you in the mirror. The outside world is going to throw us a variety of different challenges that will potentially effect our core values. We can do our best to prepare for this but ultimately, the unexpected will come. It will be our response in this moment that will define success or failure. 

So what do we do moving forward? Stay true to your core values and make decisions based off of those fundamental ideas. Focus on the internal and quiet the outside noise. Trust that your daily practice or preparation will be enough to handle anything thrown your way. Don't panic, continue to do what you do in training and keep on moving in the right direction! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week,
Chris