As you head into basketball season, what are you focusing on? Are you letting your energy drift toward things you can’t control, or are you locked in on the things you can?

This is the 2nd featured article from Christopher J. Wirth, our partner from No Quit Living and The Positivity Tribe. 

There’s a common saying: “Players are made in the off-season.” While there's some truth to that, I don’t believe it’s 100% accurate. I have personally seen many players improve dramatically in the fall, right before the winter basketball season kicks off. The key difference?

Those players focus on what they can control. They focus on their reps, their mindset, and their preparation. They control the shots they take, the drills they commit to, and how they fuel their bodies and minds.

The elite players and coaches know this: time, energy, and effort are best spent on the things within their control. What you can’t control is yesterday or what you did (or didn’t do) over the
summer. You can’t control what your teammates or competition are doing either.

But what you can control is today—your attitude, your work ethic, your preparation. When you shift your focus to what you can control, you set yourself up for success both on and off the court.

As famed coach John Wooden once said, “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of how things turn out.” The best players are the ones who don’t waste energy on distractions but instead put all their focus on improving where they can—right now.

As you prepare for the season, remember: control the controllables. That’s where your power lies. I challenge you to head into the fall focused on what you can control. Be intentional with your work, be consistent, and hold yourself accountable. Small wins throughout the fall will add up. What you do or don’t do this fall is up to you.

We believe in you!

About Christopher

Christopher J. Wirth is a Top Mental Performance Coach and Keynote Speaker.  He is the founder of both No Quit Living and The Positivity Tribe.  In addition to traveling throughout the country and working with College Teams and Fortune 100 Companies, Christopher also hosts the No Quit Living Podcast.