Ten Ways to “Win the Day”
Life lessons through sports.
6.5.23 | by Coach Mike Deegan
From Chapter 5 of Let It Rip!
It was the fall of 2012.
I was observing a training session of a major college baseball program. They started the day with a pre-practice meeting. The coach began by recapping the previous day’s practice. He went through the positives and negatives in detail. Please keep in mind there was no outside opponent, he was simply reflecting on the team’s goals and objectives. Finally, he concluded by saying, “Did we win the day?” All of the players responded back with a clear “Yes, Sir.” The coach concluded by saying, “Hell yes, we won the day!”
Fans look at things from a completely different perspective than coaches. Fans are intensely locked in on game day; they are focused on what their team needs to do to win today’s game. What most coaches will tell you, however, is that the championship has already been determined during the years, months, weeks, and days prior to the actual event.
The organization that has been “winning days” during this time will be the victor.
Average vs. Elite Organizations
The difference
In sports, the elite programs know the only real competition is against yourself. Average organizations and programs turn their focus outward. They worry about things that are outside of their control.
In college, these programs focus on another school’s new recruits, improved facilities, or increase in staff.
They invest the majority of time complaining about things they lack and how others have it so much better.
Elite organizations, on the other hand, choose to focus on things they can control. Their investment is on effort, energy, learning, and improvement. Winning organizations approach everyday with intent; their counterparts (the losers) wander aimlessly blaming things they lack control over.
Ten Ways to “Win the Day”
1. Wake-up Before 6 a.m.
Brian Cressey, a leader in the sports performance industry, says it best, “Most of the successful people I know are really bad at sleeping in.” Simply put, waking up early provides a jump-start to the day.
We often hear people say they wish there was more time in the day. My guess is many of these people are not waking up early and starting the day off right.
2. Make Positive Eating Choices
For me, eating clean is extremely difficult. Like many former athletes, as a youth and even into the majority of my 20’s I could eat whatever I wanted and still feel fine. Well, that has changed.
Eating poorly leaves me feeling tired and, quite frankly, very poor about myself. Fighting the urge to splurge is a big win.
3. Challenge Yourself Physically
A great workout is good for the soul. The key here is to “challenge yourself” and not worry about anyone else. Currently, a 3-mile jog is kicking my butt.
If I focus on where I was last summer or fall, it can drag me down. I know what I’m capable of and I know I can get back in shape. The important thing is to embrace the now, not worry about what I used to be, or concern myself with others.
Winning the day requires me to push myself physically.
4. Invest Time in Growth
If I fail to carve out time to either read, write, or think deeply, I have lost the day. A critical component to feeling good is knowing that you are growing and improving.
Be different, do not provide the excuse that you don’t have time or “wish you could.” Instead, find a way to make it happen.
5. Schedule the Day
Most people float aimlessly throughout the day. They go from one “urgent” task to the next. Successful people seize the day by dictating where they will invest their time.
What happens when we lack the discipline to schedule? We focus on what is urgent and not what is important.
6. Present Yourself Properly
“If you look good, you feel good, you play good.” It is amazing what a good shower, ironed clothes, a fresh haircut, etc. can do for you mentally. Once again, focus inward. We cannot be concerned with the way others look and dress. I am speaking about putting your best self forward.
7. Experience Failure
There is nothing like putting it all on the line, win or lose. Most people are so afraid to fail they never take a risk. They never feel alive.
As Theodore Roosevelt said, “If he fails, at least fail while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
8. Help Someone Else
When was the last time you’ve done something for someone else and felt bad about it?
I’m referring to doing something in which you expected nothing in return, not even a thank you. Most bad moods and the like are a result of obsessing about yourself instead of trying to help others. Holding the door for someone and making eye contact, engaging the waiter or waitress, writing a heartfelt thank you note, or offering important advice are all simple (however, not easy) ways to spread love.
You can win the day by investing in others.
9. Meditate or Perform a “Prime.
A great way to get your mind right for the day is to spend some time in mediation. What I suggest is spending a few minutes giving thanks, a few minutes giving energy away to those who need it (even enemies), and a few minutes visualizing your day.
Another great thing to meditate upon is any thought or issue that is giving you difficulty. The best way for me to start the day and ensure a win is to go on a brief run or walk followed by a morning prime.
10. Clean or Organize an Area of Your Life
This is my biggest struggle. I always feel disconnected in some phase of my life. My office may be a mess, bills need to be paid, or my inbox needs organizing. I’ve failed to mention cutting the grass or tasks around the house.
Investing the time to clean or organize one particular area is a great way to help win the day.
Action Step
To quote the great Muhammad Ali:
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”
Create a “Win the Day” list of your own. The important thing is to live with intention and start making winning days your focus. Please do not make the mistake of setting result-based goals.
For example, avoid saying, I need to make at least one big sale. Instead, replace that with, I need to make 20 calls to potential customers. The next time you ask yourself, “Did I win the day?” Your response should be, “Hell, yeah.”
