đSmall Wins, Big Momentum
âYou donât rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.â
â James Clear
The season just ended, and your athlete is already dreaming about next year.
They talk about what they want â hitting .400, throwing harder, making the starting lineup.
But a few weeks go by⌠and the glove sits untouched.
The workouts fade.
The goals? Still written in a notebook somewhere.
Dreams are easy to say out loud.
Habits are what turn them into reality.
đ§Ź The Insight
Most athletes think performance is built in the big moments â the game-winning shot, the walk-off hit, the championship.
But in truth, itâs built quietly, in the small moments no one sees.
Habits are invisible proof of commitment.
Theyâre the unseen reps that shape who your athlete becomes.
Goals set direction.
Habits build identity.
đ The Story
Alabama football coach Nick Saban built a dynasty on what he calls âThe Process.â
He tells players not to think about winning the game â just win the next play.
âDonât think about the scoreboard. Think about what you have to do on this play to win your matchup.â â Nick Saban
Every lift, every rep, every film session is part of that process.
Itâs not about motivation. Itâs about mastering small habits that compound into championships.
When players focus on what they can control â their technique, effort, and focus â the results take care of themselves.
đ The Shift
Stop chasing intensity.
Start chasing consistency.
Itâs not about doing more; itâs about doing the right things every day, even when you donât feel like it.
A great athlete isnât built by what they do occasionally â but by what they do relentlessly.
đ§ The Takeaway
Habits make greatness inevitable.
When the pressure hits, you donât rise to the occasion â you fall back on your preparation.
Strong habits make sure that fall lands exactly where you want it to.
đ Put It Into Practice
Challenge your athlete this week to build one small daily habit that supports their goal.
It could be:
15 push-ups after brushing teeth
5 minutes of visualization before bed
10 swings in the garage each night
The habit doesnât have to be big.
It just has to be done.
đ
The Locker Room
Mindset Move: Be Consistent, Not Perfect
Perfection is fragile. Consistency is unbreakable.
Donât aim for streaks â aim for momentum.
Miss a day? Thatâs fine. Just donât miss twice.
â¤ď¸ The Parentsâ Bleachers
How to Help Your Child Build Better Habits
Model the same consistency you want to see.
Praise effort that happens without being told.
Make habits visible â track them on a wall, fridge, or whiteboard.
Your athleteâs habits will eventually outgrow their motivation â if you help them build the right ones.
⥠BE THE CATALYST
Reply to this email: Whatâs one small habit your athlete could start this week?
Forward this to another parent or coach whoâs helping a young athlete build consistency this offseason.
