Self-Mastery Starts with You

In the history of humanity—think about that—every person who has ever lived, you are the only one who has unrestricted access to your mind. No one else. Just you.

If your mind is a place of peace, keep doing what you’re doing. If it’s filled with anger, anxiety, or frustration, you’re the only one who can change it.

And here’s what you already know: Your players learn more from what you do than what you say. If you want them to push themselves, you have to push yourself. If you want them to be disciplined, you have to be disciplined. If you want them to crave growth, you have to model it.

Most coaches push hard physically. That’s a given. But the best push themselves mentally. That means challenging your own ego, embracing discomfort, and being open to growth.

The number one thing a coach does? Communicate.

Great communication happens when you meet players where they are (see Fool on the Mountain), deliver feedback that actually gets through (see Yield Theory), and lead athletes who are open to feedback because they trust and respect you.

And trust? That starts with authenticity. Hypocrisy shuts people down—authenticity opens them up. If you want your players to be open to feedback, you have to be open to feedback yourself. That means letting go of the need to be right and focusing on getting it right.

Mentally weak people want to be right.
Mentally strong people want to get it right.

Championship cultures aren’t built by words alone. They’re built by actions. Your players will match your intensity, your discipline, your hunger for growth. So start with yourself.

Master your mind. Lead by example. Let go of being right—focus on getting it right.

This is where self-mastery begins. Start here.