Classic America - 3 Traits We Can All Use

Classic America - 3 Traits We Can All Use

By Coach John Daly August 8, 2009

Being a basketball coach is not only fun and enjoyable, but it's very educational too. There are so many great coaches out there that know a lot about basketball of course, but also a lot about leadership, success and life in general. That's one reason I like sports and their relationship with life. There is a distinct connection between the two and the great coaches out there can help us with the connections.

One book I just got done reading was "Rebound Rules - The Art of Success 2.0" by Coach Rick Pitino. Coach Pitino has a great story to tell. It's a very compelling and heartwarming story that we all can relate to. The trials and tribulations that Coach Pitino has been through can connect with anyone. He starts his book out discussing the greatness of America. How America is a country of second-chance people. We love those stories of people that overcome and achieve success. He discusses the fact that our country was not built by people who were given everything they wanted. Our country was written and created by individuals that came up against struggles and adversities.

The ones who started our country were cast-offs, rejects, persecuted people, those that wanted a better life for themselves and their families. They took a leap of faith to start over and reinvent themselves and their lives in a new country that wasn't even a country yet. They certainly had no idea that their struggles would benefit us in their future; they were just looking to survive.

The three traits that Coach Pitino discusses in the start of his book and he keeps coming back to are his Passion, his Hunger, and his Drive. He calls it his PHD's. He references them throughout his book. He ties them into his players and the basketball program at Louisville along with many business examples too. He speaks first of a unique perspective with all three of these traits. He mentions that "I had to quit beating up on myself and elevate the self-esteem that I always have tried to keep so high in my players. It was time for me to coach myself."  That was one thing that struck me right between the eyes. It was a point I needed to hear since I've been doing that for years.

One of the main things needed for a successful life is that we need to have a passion (or passions) in life. I mention to my students all the time, if they can tie their passion into a career, they will find many more levels of success than if they just went for money. In fact, I have found that going with the passion in your life with careers, the money tends to take care of itself. The great thing about this, as with all leadership and success skills, is that it's never too late to tap into them. Hunger in life for me usually was all the time, that is I really enjoy eating. Over the years it was ok for me to do that, but now in my 40's it's all caught up with me. I need to work out to lose some weight, big time! But I also need to get the hunger back for bettering myself. Not settling for quitting on things or not even trying things that are new. I sure wish I had this trait back in high school. I gave up on so many things that I enjoyed. I look back with regrets on many things in my life due to the lack of hunger.

Coach Pitino reminded me what an important part this plays in life. I need to get back to being hungry for the right things. I think drive comes into play after the first two traits. Without the first two of passion and hunger, there really is no drive. For me, drive has turned into trying to be more disciplined with my time management. It's helped me to keep working on a better relationship with my wife and kids. As a teacher, I think this one of the most important traits that we need. We all have to be driven to improve, do better, do more, all for the sake of our students.

These three traits, just stop and think how you can improve all three of them in your life. Both professionally or career wise, but also personally too. Think back to the start of our country and all the people that showed all three. Without them doing those, think where we might be today. Think about where we might be tomorrow if we don't tap into and work on all three of these in our lives. This would be a great discussion to have. I know I could learn a lot from you and your examples and ideas on this. Get in touch so we can talk and learn from each other. © Copyright 2009 http://www.coachingtoexpectsuccess.com