Today was not a good day. Got some shitty news that I knew was coming,but did not think it would come that fast. It is the second time in two years that has happened to me and it sure as hell does not get any easier. I am gutted once again. Feel for the family who will lose a Husband, Father and friends.
Writing this today is therapeutic for me.
I have recently been rereading the book The Only Way To Win by Dr. Jim Loeher. In his book he outlines a plan on how to build character to drive achievement and have fulfilment in life and athletics.
Most people relate character to performance. We see the athlete that invests in effort, perseverance, and resilience to name a few traits. What people miss are the moral character strengths like honesty, respect, and loyalty to others. We need to understand that performance character have values that related to our relationship with ourselves while moral character relates to our relationship with others.
In Ottawa this week there has been no shortage of talk around team Captain Brady Tkachuk and his late game antics on Saturday against Vancouver. The team has lost five in a row and the team focus and intent has been very questionable. Tkachuck is only 25 years old and was really not ready for the role of team Captain. He is collateral damage from the previous ownership’s regime who perfected the art of doing the wrong thing. To give him a leadership role at 22 years old was not the smart thing to do. However, with that being said there was really no excuse for running around and wanting to fight anyone who looked at you the wrong way. It seemed to me his performance character, which is tied to how he views himself as a leader is not aligned with his moral character. It was a selfish act disguised as loyalty to others. Many fans and media bought it. I did not and I know I am in a very short line. Enter 36 year old Claude Giroux. He is the leader of that team. With seven minutes to play he has a goal, assist, was 80% on face offs for the night and almost set up the tying goal. All any one was speaking about was Tkachuck and how his actions brought the team back. Calling horse hockey on that one. The bottom line he did not want to be around for the last seven minutes so he got tossed out. The team could have used his size and net front presence. To those who thought Brady did it, I am going to Tool Time you with I don’t think so Tim.
This team lacks grit. Last night against Calgary some of that grit from Giroux surfaced from the Vancouver game. Author Angela Duckworth defines grit as a combination of perseverance and passion which are important determinants of achievement That describes Giroux’s performance against Vancouver. Character does play a role but it is not the sole determinant as many people think. Duckworth’s formula for Grit takes this to a whole new level by adding a simultaneous second equation: Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Achievement. The Ottawa Senators definitely have talent and on some nights they put the effort ( work) in and the skill of the team comes out and they pockets of decent hockey. When the skill comes out ( mentally, physically, and intellectually) you get achievement. That is what happened last night. Brady’s post game comment ” it wasn’t the prettiest of games but we needed it” describes it perfectly.In the world of golf, only room for a number, not a picture on the scorecard.
Sports like hockey are emotional game with random results. Grit is a key component of pushing through the randomness of the game.
What learn you after you think you know it all is the most important thing you are going to learn.
Until next time!
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Trust fuels confidence.
Between The Ears 