It was the fall of 2012. I was observing a training session of a major college baseball program.  They started the day with a pre-practice meeting.  The coach began by recapping the previous day’s practice.  He went through the positives and negatives in detail. Please keep in mind there was no outside opponent, he was simply reflecting on the teams’ goals and objectives.  Finally, he concluded by saying, “Did we win the day?”  All of the players responded back with a clear “Yes, Sir.”  The coach concluded by saying, “Hell yes, we won the day!”

In sports, the elite programs know the only real competition is against yourself.  Average organizations and programs turn their focus outward.   They worry about things that are outside of their control.  In college, these programs focus on another school’s new recruits, improved facilities, or increase in staff.  They invest the majority of time complaining about things they lack and how others have it so much better.  Elite organizations, on the other hand, choose to focus on things they can control.  Their investment is on effort, energy, learning, and improvement.  Winning organizations approach everyday with intent; their counter parts (the losers) wander aimlessly blaming things they lack control over.

Winning the Day Personally

 I have to get back to winning days. My days have lacked the focus and intent it takes to be highly successful.  Our baseball program is built on the idea that every day is a championship. However, I have not carried this over to my personal life.  This past week, I began focusing on trying to “win days.”  Here is the list of 10 things I try to do to win the day:

Ten Ways to “Win the Day”

Wake up before 6 a.m.  Brian Cressey, a leader in the sports performance industry, says it best, “Most of the successful people I know are really bad at sleeping in.”  Simply put, waking up early provides a jump-start to the day.  We often hear people say they wish there was more time in the day.  My guess is many of these people are not waking up early and starting the day off right.

1. Make Positive Eating Choices. For me, eating clean is extremely difficult.  Like many former athletes, as a youth and even into the majority of my 20’s I could eat whatever I wanted and still feel fine.  Well, that has changed.  Eating poorly leaves me feeling tired and, quite frankly, very poor about myself.  Fighting the urge to splurge is a big win.
2. Challenge yourself physically. A great workout is good for the soul.  The key here is to “challenge yourself” and not worry about anyone else.  Currently, a 3-mile jog is kicking my butt.  If I focus on where I was last summer or fall, it can drag me down.  I know what I’m capable of and I know I can get back in shape.  The important thing is to embrace the now, not worry about what I used to be, or concern myself with others.  Winning the day requires me to push myself physically.
3. Invest time in growth. If I fail to carve out time to either read, write, or think deeply, I have lost the day.  A critical component to feeling good is knowing that you are growing and improving.   Be different, do not provide the excuse that you don’t have time or “wish you could.” Instead, find a way to make it happen.
4. Schedule the day. Most people float aimlessly throughout the day.  They go from one “urgent” task to the next.  Successful people seize the day by dictating where they will invest their time.  Until this past week, I had gotten away from disciplining myself to schedule. I found myself not having time to read, exercise, and do the things that were important.  This week I returned to scheduling and BOOM…I started winning days again.
5. Present Yourself Properly. “If you look good, you feel good, you play good.”  It is amazing what a good shower, ironed clothes, a fresh haircut, etc. can do for you mentally.  Once again, focus inward.  We cannot be concerned with the way others look and dress.  I am speaking about putting your best self forward.
6. Experience failure. I recently was telling someone that I want to write a book and try to get it published. The person told me how hard it is to become published, the amount of rejection that will occur, and that it likely will not happen.  Maybe I’m weird, but I got excited about this diagnosis.  There is nothing like putting it all on the line, win or lose.  Most people are so afraid to fail they never take a risk.  They never feel alive.  As Theodore Roosevelt says, “if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
7. Help someone else. When was the last time you’ve done something for someone else and felt bad about it?  I’m referring to doing something in which you expected nothing in return, not even a thank you.  Holding the door for someone and making eye contact, engaging the waiter or waitress, writing a heartfelt thank you note, or offering important advice are all simple (however, not easy) ways to spread love.  A simple way to help win the day is to invest in others.
8. Mediate or perform a “Prime.”  A great way to get your mind right for the day is to spend some time in mediation.  What I suggest is spending a few minutes giving thanks, a few minutes giving energy away to those who need it (even enemies), and a few minutes visualizing your day.  Another great thing to meditate upon is any thought or issue that is giving you difficulty.  The best way for me to start the day and ensure a win is to go on a brief run or walk followed by a morning prime.
9.  Clean or organize an area of your life. This is my biggest struggle.  I always feel disconnected in some phase of my life.  My office may be a mess, bills need to be paid, or my inbox needs organizing.  I’ve failed to mention cutting the grass or tasks around the house.  Investing the time to clean or organize one particular area is a great way to help win the day.

Here’s How It Works

 The above list works for me, it may not work for you.  I’ve chosen things that I can completely control and have a history of improving my mental state and production.  At the end of the day, I tally up how effective I was at each of the 10 things.  I do not have a set number (such as I must perform 7 out of 10) that determines if I won the day.  Much like the coach asking, the players, “Did we win the day?” I do the same thing. It is important to answer honestly.  You can’t lie to yourself.

Conclusion:

I needed a shot in the arm. I needed to get back to winning days.  Oftentimes, as leaders, we expect those we lead to be diligently improving. But there are times where we don’t practice what we preach.  This week I am going be very intentional and deliberate about my growth.  To quote the great Muhammad Ali, “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”

Let’s win the week.

Mike