A couple +1s ago, we talked about Vince Lombardi and John Wooden chasing perfection and catching excellence.

Today I want to chat about something else they had in common.

But, first, let’s step back for a moment and make sure we’re all on the same page. Sports fans know who Lombardi and Wooden are. And, my hunch is most of you are at least vaguely familiar with the names and know that they were legendary US sports coaches—Wooden coached basketball (go Bruins!) and Lombardi coached American football.

But get this.

According to ESPN, they rank #1 and #2 as the all-time greatest coaches ever. Wooden first. Lombardi second.

So, with that context, get this.

You know how most coaches these days spend a ton of time “scouting” their opponents to make sure they know the plays they run and get ready to deal with their specific strategies?

Wooden and Lombardi basically did NONE of that.

They spent all that time chasing perfection playing their own game. They had the audacity to believe that if they could train themselves to execute their style with excellence, they’d win.

And, guess what? They won. A lot.

(Wooden’s style was particularly epic. His defense was wonderfully straightforward. He pretty much ran a full court zone press all day every day—knowing his athletes were in better shape than yours and that you were going to have a tough time even getting into your offense so why did he need to study it? Hah. Good luck against that. Then they had their limited set plays that they practiced until they could execute them nearly PERFECTLY. Basically saying: “Good luck defending that, guys.” (Goosebumps.)

So…. Why is that relevant for us?

Well, how do YOU spend your days? Are you on Facebook and Instagram (and whatever other social platform I know nothing about that’s blowing up these days) checking out what other people are doing all day every day? Comparing yourself to them and wondering why you’re not as awesome, etc. etc. etc.?

As we’ve discussed, science says: That’s TOXIC. For your well-being and for your creativity.

So… Today’s +1.

Who are you? What are you here to do in the world? What works for you? What doesn’t?

Reduce the inputs. Find some solitude. Lead yourself.

Get clear on who you are. What you’re here to do and how. Then just do it.

Just Execute Your Game Plan #548

Wooden and Lombardi and You

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