In business and life, shift from a purely competitive mindset to a ‘competitive compromiser’ by integrating kindness, empathy, and ingenuity with an aggressive competitive spirit. This approach helps build sustainable win-win relationships, as a win-lose mentality inevitably leads to resentment and loss over time.
Approach all relationships and negotiations with a win-win mentality, as this is the only sustainable way for relationships to exist across time. If one party consistently loses, resentment will build and the relationship cannot last.
Recognize that successful individuals often fail more than others because they have the audacity to try things outside their comfort zone. Combine high-risk taking with resilience to learn from failures and emerge better.
Normalize seeking professional counsel, such as sports psychology, therapy, or couples therapy, to improve mental health. Treat mental health experts like physical health experts, as they are there to help you improve.
Engage in regular therapy to manage critical, negative self-talk and gain perspective. The goal is not to eliminate these ‘mammoths’ but to shrink them in size and lower their volume, providing a healthier outlook.
Develop self-awareness by understanding what makes you happy, sad, agitated, or causes anxiety and stress. This involves exploring relational patterns, attachment theory, and how your career overlaps with your life.
Avoid getting too far ahead of yourself by focusing on being present and completing the task at hand to the best of your ability. This meditative approach allows progress to unfold organically.
Set ambitious long-term goals but focus on achieving immediate, smaller improvements first, such as being the best on your team or in your immediate role. This ‘stacking’ approach provides a clear path to greater achievements.
When practicing, aim for perfection rather than just counting reps or time, not stopping until you feel you’ve gotten as close to perfect as possible. This method, while tiresome, is a fast path to high growth improvement.
Consistently take care of your body through adequate sleep, hydration, proper nutrition, and regular workouts, both in-season and off-season. This foundational care is crucial for sustaining high performance and mental well-being.
To achieve exceptional results in any field, constantly think about your craft and seek lessons from all aspects of life. Observe how others excel and consider how to emulate those insights in your own domain.
When experiencing mental blocks or negative biochemical takeovers (e.g., anger, rumination), use techniques like deep breathing, applying an ice towel to the neck, or engaging in a meditative routine to shift your body’s chemistry and regain focus.
After making a mistake, immediately focus on ‘rebound opportunities’ that are within your control, such as increasing effort on defense or returning to fundamental actions. This helps rebuild confidence and get back on track.
To become a top executive, commissioner, or owner in sports (and likely other industries), start by learning the fundamentals from the ground up, such as selling tickets. This provides a crucial understanding of the business.
In any industry, recognize that you are in the media business and distribution is paramount; even the greatest product is irrelevant if no one sees it. Ensure your distribution deal is a top priority to monetize your product and reach audiences.
As a team or business leader, design incentive structures that reward performance contributing to the overarching team or company goal, rather than solely individual statistics. Foster a strong culture where individual success is recognized as contributing to collective achievement.
When choosing a team captain, prioritize individuals who excel at leadership, empathy, and communication, bridging coaches to players and vice versa. Do not automatically assign captaincy to the best player, as the role requires significant time and different skills.
If you have learning differences or conditions like ADHD, recognize and embrace the corresponding advantages, such as problem-solving abilities or a tendency to question the status quo. These traits can be valuable for entrepreneurial endeavors and abstract problem-solving.
Cultivate inner peace by seeking alone time in the morning before the day starts or during a mid-morning break. Use this time wisely for a mental reset and to ground yourself.
Integrate walking into your routine for thinking, reflection, and generating new ideas, even conducting ‘walking meetings.’ Physical movement can stimulate biochemistry and lead to breakthrough thoughts.
Actively work to break habits that hinder focus and well-being, such as excessive phone use or reliance on caffeine. This conscious effort contributes to overall self-improvement.