Listen to a well-coached player talk about their game plan, or talk about the loss they just had. Almost all great players will say something along the lines of “It’s about the process, coach talks about developing good habits. Win or lose we focus on habit building, onto the next game.” I’m paraphrasing but think of the Tom Bradys, Nick Saban-coached college players, or Kawhi Leonards. Win or lose, they will always preach process.
These are the greatest athletes in the world. You’re probably not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them, implement their processes, and become great at whatever we consider our sport. Becoming great isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s the repetition of habits that leads to greatness.
Developing Habits Like Athletes
Peak athletes have gone through some of the most challenging rigors their bodies and minds can handle. Not only do they have to fight off not feeling 100% and giving intense effort in the weight, athletes also have to win the mental battle. My cross country coach used to say “running is 10% physical, which you want to be 100% at your peak, and 90% mental.” In order to improve their mentality, athletes adopt great habits.
There’s a reason why baseball players are so superstitious and have batting routines. They’ve trained their muscles, muscle memory, to react based on their habits. Every time they repeat a good habit they get better. Same in basketball. Even when losing by 20 points basketball coaches preach fundamentals and making sure to not play the scoreboard but the next play.
Good Habits Breed Greatness
Good habits help good become great and greats become better. We marvel at the feats of athletes all the time, but we really should focus on the feats of ourselves, our peers, and the entrepreneurs around us. They’ve figured out the good habits that help them get better or at least they are trying to find those habits.
In order to become great, in whatever we want to be great in, we must preach the process. Whether we’re having a good, bad, or okay day, the process of daily habit building will pay dividends or sink the ship. I’d much rather build good habits, get better, and become great than to get into bad habits and live for someone else.