NEW CASTLE —
Consistency.
Here’s what it is:
Unforced.
Unscripted.
And natural.
Here’s what it isn’t:
Routine.
Boring.
And disruptive.
Here’s who loves it:
Coaches.
Teachers.
And parents.
So why do we hate it so much?
Why are we so consistently inconsistent?
“How you do any act is how you do every act.” — Tyler Summitt
Think about those times when our actions are inconsistent.
Coaches, teachers and parents — pretty much anyone who knows us — become baffled.
•“He’s not himself today.”
•“Wow, that was so out of character for her.”
•“Shoot the ball!”
•“Why would he try to dunk it? Just make the layup!”
•“Don’t go for the steal! Contain!”
•“You’re a big man! Pass the ball up the floor and run to the blocks!”
•“Can you believe she said that?”
•“Why would you try to post him up. He’s six inches taller than you!”
It usually doesn’t end well.
And we usually regret our decisions.
“Discipline: doing what you have to do, and doing it as well as you possibly can, and doing it that way all the time.” — Bob Knight
Maybe another word for consistency is “discipline.”
It’s all about knowing who you are — knowing your unique gifts and skills — and following through on that potential.
Every time down the floor.
What if Ray Allen suddenly thought he was a role-playing power forward and started to pass and set picks all the time?
What if Dwight Howard thought he was a point guard and began to dribble the ball up the floor against pressure?
What if Albert Pujols decided during the offseason that he was going to become a slap hitter?
What if Tim Tebow began to think he was a running back and ... uh, nevermind. Bad example.
What if Tom Brady began to think he was fleet afoot and instead of throwing the ball away, he started to take on linebackers?
Think about the part you play. What do you do especially well? What do your coaches appreciate about your game?
Based on those two responses, are you adding value to your team’s success?
Remember, players who can consistently help their teams win games are the ones who stick around.
As for those who are concerned only with boosting themselves? Well, you can pull up to pretty much any street corner and ask them how it’s working out these days.
“Everyone hates a ball hog, but they all love a scorer.” — Koran Godwin
There’s a big difference, you know.
Derrick Fisher and Ricky Rubio are both point guards.
Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger are both quarterbacks.
No two thumb prints are alike.
It’s all in the approach.
So go ahead and color outside the lines. Just remember we all share the same coloring book.
Go ahead and think outside the box. Just remember we all crowd into the same one.
Go ahead and be creative, be daring, be innovative. No one is telling you not to.
Just make sure what you do is in the best interest of your team.
Be different, not dangerous.
Be childlike, not childish.
Be the consistent performer your teammates can count on each night.
In other words, keep enhancing your gifts and changing your game, but never let your ego get in the way of your purpose.
Because when that happens, we all lose ... consistently.
Tim Kolodziej
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About Tim Kolodziej: Tim is director of new media at The News. His blog appears each Thursday.
Discussion
Tim Kolodziej: Never let your ego get in the way of your purpose
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