Killer Instinct; do you have it?

Open letter to the parents of my team.

Parents,

Great Practice to all who made it yesterday. I completely understand those who were absent from yesterday’s practice due to vacation.

I wanted to send you all a quick note regarding your sons and this year’s season. We have an abundance of talent and I’m having a blast coaching this season’s team. This age group by far is my preferred, due to the fact you’re able to watch real time, kids absorbing basketball knowledge. I do want to mention to you all, that it is important you gauge your child’s interest in basketball at this age. Not for me, nor for this season. Over the next few days, I’d like you to convey to them how important for their basketball growth that they practice outside of standard practice.

 Most of our kids physically and mentally are at stage where they will have to make a decision concerning, how far they’d like to take this. I underlined this very topic yesterday with our kids. Sixth grade is the magical time where the “gamers” begin to practice on their own to refine fundamentals preparing themselves for the next level;  JV/Varsity basketball. From my own experience hard work starts at this age and kids who play for “fun” begin to get left behind. I must reemphasize, if your son is playing this year merely for fun and exercise- there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that and I hold those children in the same regard as the “gamers”.

Allow me to leave you all with a thought..  It is extremely difficult to be good at anything, if you are unaware why you want to be good.

Case and point, a child who kicks a soccer ball around every day after school for fun, will never truly reach his potential. Why? Because a child who has a defined purpose behind why he is kicking the ball around in his backyard will always want it more, that mentioned want will fuel his flames toward his effort to reach his goal. That being said, find out what it is they want, make sure they understand “HARD WORK” will get them there.

No need to thank me for coaching, I am merely moving forward what my coaches gave me.

Have a great weekend, see you Saturday.

Success; defined.

I am a simple man. I have loved ones, I have enemies. Too often my enemies create roadblocks in life. These said roadblocks don’t necessarily detour my journey to greatness; they more or less cause delay. Now I have a new outlook, it entails thoughts of win. Let’s not be mistaken, I am not speaking of winning merely once or even intermittently. My goal is to win indefinitely. So indefinitely, that my critics must acknowledge my champion. I know you’re thinking “win what”, the game of life. My champion you ask? It is my heart and passion; it’s what makes me, it is what keeps my mind ridden with thoughts of merriment tied to accomplishments.

Life comes easy for some, not so easy for others. The latter catch life as it falls in their direction. The aforementioned allow life to come to fruition, directing it like a ship; amidst rocky waters in the night.Who have you chosen to be? My choice was made many moons ago, have you made yours? I remember that day, it was a few years ago. I was inside of a jewelry store, not just any store. A store that founded its reputation  upon its colorful boxes and elegant charms and chains. There was a man in blue jeans and t-shirt. Standing tall, without care in his world he purchased a necklace for his beloved wife. His wrist was adorned with a Panerai, a watch most novices will remain oblivious of. This Panerai's movement swept like a knife slicing through warm butter. Understated to the untrained eye, elegantly boastful to men with a taste for true wealth. 

His cell phone; off. 

His car; Ferrari red Modena.

His time; free.

That moment lasted about five minutes, in my mind it's replayed for years, hinged upon my mental blocks of what success really is. It's taken some time to wrap my cerebral mind around what exactly success encompasses. I cherish that mentioned moment, because it depicts in life what success looks like. Now that we’ve identified success; How does one capture it? 

There are numerous ways to reach attainment. My father (now passed) once told me “Son if you spend 10 years sowing your future, at thirty-five you’ll have a bullet proof plan that will carry you to retirement. My unheard reply "easier said than done Pop". I allowed those words to resonate and lived by them daily. From investing in the market, to climbing the ladder of engineering, promotion after promotion, junior to mid-level, to senior; all while continuing to metaphorically sow. Abruptly one day, I came to conclusion all of the mentioned sowing, had distracted me from actually living. Standing here at this moment I ask myself, am I on the cusp of success?

No. Because I now realize the success sought after is really TIME.

Time is the true staple of success.

Time to watch your children grow.

Time to spend with loved ones.

Time to reflect on how beautiful this earth really is.

Time to make an impact.