Darrin Donnelly
Oct 24, 2019
“It’s easy to fixate on how the other team has better resources than you do. But it’s more important to concentrate on maximizing your own resources instead of worrying about things you can’t control.”
– Mike Leach, 2-Time National Coach of the Year
In sports, there are dozens of factors you have no control over. You have no control over random injuries to your players, the weather, the plays your opponent will choose to run, etc. The list of things you don’t control could go on and on.
The most successful coaches refuse to waste their time and effort worrying about such things because it only gets in the way of the things they DO control. And it’s the things you do control that determine how successful you will be. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Oct 3, 2019
In Bob Stoops’ excellent autobiography, No Excuses, passages from those who worked with or competed against Stoops are sprinkled throughout. One particular passage that stood out to me comes from Mark Mangino, the man Stoops hired as his assistant head coach and running game coordinator when he arrived at Oklahoma prior to the 1999 season…
“When I got to OU, it was in worse shape than it looked from the outside. But Bob Stoops, he doesn’t let anything beat him down. If I was having a bad day, he’d say, ‘Don’t let them get you twice.’ That was his favorite saying. In other words, deal with a problem once and then move on.”
– Mark Mangino, Former Oklahoma assistant coach and Kansas head coach
Another way Bob Stoops often puts it: “Don’t let them beat you twice.”
Life is full of setbacks and surprises. Whether it’s losing a game, losing a sale, getting bad news, or suffering any other type of setback, it’s how you deal with those setbacks that determines how quickly you’ll turn things around. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Sep 19, 2019
“If you are afraid of confrontation, you are not going to do very well.”
– Bill Parcells, Two-Time Super Bowl-Winning Coach
Being positive does not mean being passive.
Despite what some might think, going out of your way to avoid conflict will not lead you to a more peaceful life. It will lead you to a life where you have very little control over your own destiny because you’re letting others make decisions for you. It will lead to an unfulfilling life of fear and regret.
You can’t be afraid of confrontation. You have to stand up for yourself and what you believe. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Aug 12, 2019
One message you hear again and again from the most successful coaches and leaders is that you shouldn’t waste your time and energy worrying about the things you have no control over. Instead, you should focus on only the things you CAN control—specifically, your effort and your attitude.
Some leaders present this concept as an equation: E + R = O. That is, Event + Response = Outcome.
While you don’t always control the Event, you do always control your Response and it’s how you Respond to an Event that determines your Outcome.
Six-time National Champion college football coach Nick Saban had this to say on the topic… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Jul 8, 2019
“Just when I think I’ve hit rock bottom, when something has happened that I’m sure is the worst thing that can possibly occur, it always leads to something good. Everything good that has happened to me has happened as a direct result of something bad.”
– Harry Caray, Legendary Sports Broadcaster
Harry Caray is one of history’s most famous sports broadcasters. While he is best known for his final 16-year stint as play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs, he also spent a year with the Oakland A’s, 11 years calling White Sox games, and 25 years as the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The one thing we all remember about Harry Caray is how much he seemed to enjoy his work. He loved life and exuded optimism. He brought humor to nearly every situation and he wasn’t afraid to laugh at himself. (Ever notice how the happiest people don’t take themselves too seriously?)
Harry Caray always seemed to be having a blast and his joy was contagious. [continue reading…]
