Sports for the Soul

Goals are vital to a person’s wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that simply writing down specific, measurable goals will give you a distinct advantage over those who don’t.

I’ve personally seen the power of goal-setting work again and again in my life. But I’ve also found—as you probably have too—that setting goals alone is not enough.

There is a way to take goal-setting to another level. [continue reading…]

To coincide with the launch of my new book, Old School Grit, I’ve been discussing what it means to have an “old school” mentality.

I recently wrote about the “old school code” that some of the greatest coaches of all time lived by. Today, I want to talk about the “old school attitude” that drove Michael Jordan to become the greatest basketball player ever.

Jordan will always be known for his incredible work ethic and his extreme competitiveness, but a certain old school principle was another one of the driving forces behind his success. MJ believed that you are not entitled to anything and you must go out and earn everything you get… [continue reading…]

I’m excited to announce that Book No. 2 in the Sports for the Soul series is here!

This new book is all about GRIT.

Good, old-fashioned, keep-moving-forward, never-back-down GRIT!

Psychologists tell us that the “secret” to a successful and happy life, more than anything else, is something called GRIT. Defined as the willpower to persevere with passion and a sense of purpose, research shows that grit is what matters most in whether a person succeeds or fails. [continue reading…]

In my book, OLD SCHOOL GRIT, the main character is an archetypal “old school” basketball coach entering the final days of his long and storied coaching career. While his team tries to advance through the NCAA postseason tournament, he uses his last days as a coach to write his grandchildren letters revealing the rules for a successful and happy life. These rules provide a clear path to success in any endeavor.

Because the coach in this book is a composite figure based on several of history’s greatest “old school” coaches, I think it’s important that we define exactly what an “old school” coach is.

Some people use the term “old school coach” in a negative way to mean someone who yells a lot or is too stubborn to adapt his strategies. That’s not the way I use it.

I use the term “old school” in an affectionate and nostalgic way to mean someone who adheres to what may be called “old fashioned” values and principles.

While there have been some old school coaches like Vince Lombardi and Mike Ditka known for their hot tempers and loud personalities, I would argue that calm-demeanor leaders like John Wooden and Tony Dungy are also old school coaches.

So, what exactly makes an old school coach “old school”?

I offer the following four characteristics. [continue reading…]

Mike Matheny, the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, is always looking to learn more about what it takes to succeed—in sports and in life. A dedicated student of history’s greatest coaches, Matheny has also learned invaluable lessons from role models outside of sports.

He once took the Cardinals players and coaches to visit the Naval Special Warfare Unit in Coronado, California. Their visit occurred during Navy SEAL training and Matheny called it one of the most “eye-opening experiences” he’s ever had.

To become a Navy SEAL, it requires a level of physical exertion few of us could ever imagine going through. The very few servicemen who survive the first four weeks of grueling training must then make it through one final week-long test in which they’re only allowed four hours of sleep (two hours on Wednesday and two hours of Thursday). It’s no wonder that the few who are honored with the SEAL name are considered some of the world’s most elite warriors.

During his visit, Matheny learned something very interesting about what it takes to become a Navy SEAL… [continue reading…]