If all you focus on is FRUIT and neglect the ROOTS, pretty soon the tree dies and you don’t have any more FRUIT.

When I first start to work with an athlete 1-on-1 for mental training, one of the first things I want to find out is how they define success in their sport. Every athlete I’ve ever worked with 1-on-1 has a similar mindset when it comes to success…it is all about STATS or PRs…aka FRUIT! If the right metrics for their sport aren’t at the level they want, then they had a bad game or race.

This is a short sighted way to view success that creates a very narrow chance for success based on STATS or PRs. As you get better, those numbers get harder to live up to (see the image below). That’s not a bad thing, we should want to get better. But as we get better we need a deeper definition of success than STATS or PRs allow.

So, let’s help you redefine what success looks like and focus on the ROOTS that create the FRUIT.

Watch this video and make note of anything that stood out to you or that you could connect with, then on to your journal activity for the week!

JOURNAL ACTIVITY

I firmly believe a definition of success ROOTED IN CHARACTER helps you create an environment for your RESULTS (Stats, PRs, etc.) to flourish. I don’t want to send the message that you shouldn’t care about RESULTS. I think RESULTS matter, it’s just that too many athletes get them out of order. ROOTS first, FRUIT second. In other words CHARACTER first and RESULTS second.

Look through the CHARACTER SKILLS that were presented in the video below

Pick 3 words from the PERFORMANCE side that you want to be known for as an athlete. Write about why you picked each word.

Pick 3 words from the MORAL side that you want to be know for as a teammate. Write about why you picked each word.

Redefine SUCCESS based on how well you live these words out when you compete.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS JOURNAL ACTIVITY, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND OR TEAMMATE.