As I write this, it’s Sunday night and I just watched the Packers lose. They sure didn’t play as well as I know they’re capable of. Will I remain a fan? Definitely. It was just one game. Was it important? Yes. Am I disappointed they lost? Yes.
Like the Packers, I need to move on. I have to. I speak in the morning to teachers in the Brownwood ISD here in Brownwood, TX. They need my full attention. I intend on giving it to them. Might an analogy or two from football sneak into my message? Probably. But, I’ll move on.
In fact, instead of just sharing from football, I think I’ll share an example or two from basketball since I attended a Dallas Mavericks basketball game on Saturday night. Our NBA team played well and deserved to win, which they did. This past fall, I heard Avery Johnson, the Mavs coach speak. He was excellent. I’ll leave you with two of his points. I’ll be sharing them with the teachers tomorrow.
After every play, he encourages his guys to think “next point.” If a mistake was made, he doesn’t want them dwelling on it. Think, “next point.” If they do a great job, he doesn’t want them lost in people’s praise or their own. Think, “next point.” This is good advice for kids … and for the Packers.
Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll teach teachers the change process we’ve developed to help students change attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and actions. Among other things, I’ll share what Avery teaches his athletes: Choose two things to keep doing, two things to stop doing, and two things to start doing. What would you choose?
One more thing. The Mavs have 10 coaches for 15 players. (head coach, assistant coaches, player development coaches, and a strength/conditioning coach) How many coaches do your kids have?
January 21, 2008 at 9:54 am
Football??? What is that? Oh… you mean America’s favorite Sunday/Monday night sport. I haven’t seen a game in FOR EVER!
I appreciate the wisdom in the blog. Think next point! What a wonderful thing to teach kids!
Thanks for sharing!!!
January 21, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Loved the “next point” advice. I think this gives kids a more balanced way of approaching their failures and successes. Recently, another teacher came into my room and praised my class for their good behavior while I was dealing with a bad cold. They hardly took note of the praise…just kept right on working. I took that as a good sign… they had just done the “right thing” and certainly didn’t do it so anyone would notice them. I encourage them to respond the same way when they fail or don’t meet their own expectations…just move on toward the “next point.”
January 21, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Two things to keep doing: teaching and praying
Two things to stop doing: worrying and eating Christmas candy
Two things to start doing: journaling every day, exercising regularly
Thanks for asking!
January 21, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Great advice and encouragement at just the right time. God is good and your comments are a blessing. Thank you for being faithful to His calling.
January 22, 2008 at 6:00 am
Being completely random here, but your blog made me think of a quote.
Today I listened to the funeral of Sir Edmund Hillary - perhaps New Zealand’ best loved hero (first up Mt Everest). I was moved as we have lost an incredible man who used his fame to build schools, hospitals and bridges for Nepalese villages. He was a man of humility who had teachers who told him he would amount to nothing. He made something of his life and was most known for his kindness and generosity. I was sharing this with my students today and the quote that I thought of was one he made,
“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”
January 22, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I think anyone that has had to grow up and go through school with the name “Eli” deserves to go to the Super Bowl!! Hope they win! Tom Brady had it easy growing up with his name. (It’s not a bad name, just different, and kids love to pick on anything that is different.)
I would like to know what it has been like for Eli. Bet he got teased alot. I wonder how much that played into him becoming a skilled and successful athlete.
I am sure his parents played a big part in his character growing opportunities. It was really heart warming to watch his father during the game and listen to the commentators talk about how he couldn’t watch. That said so much about how much he cares for his son. It seemed to speak to everyone because they kept showing it so much near the end of the game. So many havenever know a father’s love like that.
Then, speaking of coaches, I could really get on a soapbox about the bad ones. When the Giants’ coach started yelling at the kicker after he missed that field first goal attempt in the 4th quarter, I wanted to go through that screen and tell the coach a few things. What is it about so many coaches that they think screaming at the players is a good thing? Obviously the kicker was able to shake it off to make the winning 47 yard field goal. He must have some good coaches in his life.
Coaches. They can make you or break you.
February 4, 2008 at 7:13 pm
What a great lesson . .not only for students, but also for someone that finds themselves as a coach, motivator, influencer, etc. As the wife of man who is discouraged because he hasnt been able to land a new job, these words may be just what I need to encourage him, keep him hopeful and thinking ‘next point’!
Thank you and God Bless