A Winning Attitude

When we play a basketball game, we win it or we lose it. And the outside world defines us based on that win or loss. We´re eihter good or we´re bad on that day. Basically that´s how most people look at it. But that´s not how I look at it.

Sometimes a loss can be a win.
I believe that any team that does its best is a winner.

If we are constantly looking at a win-loss record to determine whether we are doing well, we´re not looking at the right barometer.

A real winning attitude is about standards of excellence - which are variable from year to year, from team to team. Being the best you can be - and doing the best you can - are the constants.

When you view winning the way I do, it becomes clear that leaders are ultimately responsible for how their teams perform - and whether they are the best they can be. But that´s not really pressure, it´s reality - and it is also a wonderful challenge. I really believe that if a leader is a stickler on high performance, on excellence, then winning games will be a natural by-product.

- Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski, Coach of the 2008 Redeem-team and of the Duke University)

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

Chapter I
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost...I am helpless. It isn´t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don´t see it. I fall in again. I can´t believe I am in this same place. But it isn´t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in..it´s a habit...but, my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter IV
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter V
I walk down another street.