Sports & a Positive Attitude

“Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.”

-Shaquille O’Neal

Excellence and a positive attitude go hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other. Often parents push for excellence in school and sports by emphasizing hard work. However, a positive attitude is possibly more important.

Gifted athletes don’t always make the best players. Coaches don’t used players with attitude issues because they bring the team down. They want the players that can be counted on to focus on teamwork. With a positive attitude, the team can win.

Players with good attitudes know that no matter how much they accomplish, there is always more to learn. Coaches love players with an eager, teachable spirit. These players draw other players to them and together they can create a winning atmosphere.

A good attitude must become internalized. It needs to become a habit. It will carry over to all areas of your child’s life, determining how far your child will go in life. Catch your child exhibiting a positive attitude and give praise. Encourage a positive attitude by letting her know that one positive person can affect the whole team.

And don’t forget to model that positive attitude in all you do…actions speak louder than words.