The truth about 'Discipline'
True confession: I don’t know much about lacrosse. Even less than you might think.
But I do know a lot about young athletes, especially those who compete at the highest level. We’ve trained dozens through the years and there’s something different, something special, about them. And it’s not always obvious to the naked eye.
I couldn’t help but think of that last weekend as I watched my niece, Karina Latsko, compete for the University of Pittsburgh as they took on cross-town rival Duquesne. This is the first year Pitt is fielding a lacrosse team, so as you might expect, it could take awhile to get all the girls on the same page.
But I did notice something they all had in common: Man, they are all really, really good. They are all strong. They are all terrific athletes. They’ve converged on the Oakland campus from various parts of the country, and I’ve no doubt these girls were all among the top players in their states.
So, how do the coaches separate the best from the best? How do they decide who to start, who to sit, who to rely on during big moments?
As I pondered those questions, it brought to mind another common theme: To compete at the Division I level in any sport, it doesn’t just take discipline.
It takes ELITE discipline.
These girls are training intensely when their classmates are rolling over for another couple hours of sleep.
They’re pushing away the Primanti’s sandwich for a healthier alternative.
They’re drinking half their body weight in water rather than the usual college staple of Yuengling or Miller Lite.
They’re not just sprinting. They’re sprinting to the right spots.
They’re not just shooting for the goal. They’re shooting for a certain portion of the goal.They’re attending class. They’re attending team study hall. They’re attending team meetings.
They’re … disciplined. In an ELITE way.
True confession: When I asked some of the kids at Drill For Skill Academy to define “discipline,” they responded: “It means being punished for doing something wrong.”
That breaks my heart. Adults have hijacked a perfectly good word — a WONDERFUL word, actually — and turned it into something kids want to avoid.
So, this week we took the time to explore what the word “discipline” really means. It’s actually a question we can ask ourselves each morning:
What do I need to DO today to become the person I really want to BE tomorrow?
Relating that question to basketball, it means you build your day around becoming better: How much you train, what you eat, what you drink, who you allow to teach you, etc.
If questions don’t inspire you and you’re looking for “four steps to discipline,” try these:
Doing WHAT needs to be done
Doing it WHEN it needs to be done
Doing it HOW it needs to be done
Doing it that way EVERY time.
That’s discipline.
And here’s a dirty little secret:
Discipline IS the shortcut to excellence.
Small gains.
Made daily.
Over an extended period of time.
Lead to growth and mastery.
So, again, we need to ask ourselves the question:
What do I need to DO today to become the person I really want to BE tomorrow?
Or, perhaps, an even better question might be:
What’s keeping me from becoming disciplined?
Only you can decide.
Only I can decide.
And we both must take great care with that question.
For better or for worse, our athletic careers — and in many ways, our lives — depend on it.
(Tim Kolodziej is the author of this piece and founder of EnspireU.com. When he’s not behind a laptop, he can be found inside a gym helping young athletes create their own unique future — one rep at a time. Click here to connect with him by email.)