Embrace the Process

While we strive for performance based success (win’s, save %, gaa, etc.), those markers are just the outcome of the process we go through between the end of the last game and the beginning of the next. It’s the process that dictates your habits and guides you towards your long term goals.

You can use quantitative data, like in the graph above, to monitor and track improvement in the areas of importance. When you focus on this practice instead of your in-game performance you can accomplish short term success that over time will consistently carry over to in-game success.

“When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur. When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made. Don’t look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small improvement one day at a time. That’s the only way it happens — and when it happens, it lasts.”

— John Wooden

A 1% improvement in an area which you define as a weakness may be small, but each day will have a compound effect. You might not even see the improvement in your game performance for multiple games but eventually it will happen. It can be frustrating and not as sexy as winning a game for your team, but the results will be more consistent and long-term.

Performance improvement isn’t a target, it’s a continual daily ritual that spans the length of your career. The real challenge is knowing where and when to direct your time and energy from the sacrifices being made.