They say ‘you only get one chance to make a first impression.’
Research has shown if you make a poor first impression, it can take up to 21 follow-up impressions to change that person’s opinion. First impressions are a big deal.
What are you doing to make a memorable first impression once school starts?
How do you plan on making a positive first impression with your teachers? With your coaches? With your teammates?
Are you waiting for school to start or are you preparing for it?
Watch this to learn the difference between waiting and preparing:
http://youtu.be/Q8IcGPSPGec
There are two things you can do when preparing to make a notable first impression:
1. Take one full week of active rest… now!
Assuming you have been playing and working out all spring & summer, your mind and body need a break. You need to decompress so you can be refreshed and re-energized when school and pre-season workouts begin. Trust me; a week of active rest is the best thing you can do right now. Active rest doesn’t mean sleeping until noon or lying on the couch eating Doritos. It means actively enjoying time with family and friends… doing things you like to do… away from the game. Take the time to eat well and catch up on sleep. That will lay the foundation to a notable first impression.
2. Reach out to your coach… now!
Initiate communication with your coach to solidify their expectations for you this season. Have them definitively explain your role on the team. Get their evaluation of your current strengths and weaknesses. Be pro-active! Find out exactly what you need to do to earn a spot on the team, earn more playing time, or earn a starting position. Effective communication with your coach is imperative with making a great first impression.
Hopefully you have been preparing for the start of school and for pre-season workouts since the summer began. If so, now is the time to put the finishing touches on that preparation by getting some rest and communicating with your coach.
Speaking of preparing, my 17 month old twin sons Luke & Jack (aka The Born Backcourt) are already preparing for the NBA.
Watch their training program in Raising Champions 3: http://youtu.be/jqAR1ZAZ620
I wish you the very best this pre-season,
Alan Stein
www.StrongerTeam.com
www.Twitter.com/AlanStein
www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam
www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom
PS: Here are some guidelines for players, coaches, and parents:
Players:
· Be the hardest worker in practice… every day.
· Be a spark of enthusiasm… every day.
· Showcase your mental toughness… every day.
· Compliment a teammate… every day.
· Challenge your teammates to get better… every day.
· Support your teammates and coaches in any way possible… every day.
· Build a bond with your teammates and coaches… every day.
· Represent yourself and your team with class… every day.
Coaches:
· Your players want to feel appreciated; so compliment them.
· Your players may lack direction; so guide them.
· Your players want to get better; so teach them.
· Your players want to achieve great things; so inspire them.
· Your players are invested in your program; so care for them.
· Your players will occasionally lack the ‘want to’; so motivate them.
· Your players will make mistakes; so discipline them.
· Your players dictate your success; so appreciate them.
Parents:
· Be supportive and positive at all times; no yelling, cursing, or screaming at officials or coaches.
· Let your kids be kids; don’t push them too hard!
· Be proud of your children unconditionally; even when they don’t play particularly well.
· Encourage your kids to eat well, get sleep, and give 100% in everything they do.
· Let your children be coached! It is their team; not yours.
· Coaches shouldn’t tell you how to parent; you shouldn’t tell them how to coach.
· Listen to your children! If your child doesn’t say much; ask questions. Show an interest!
Whether you are a player, coach, or parent… I recommend printing off your list and reading it every single day!