INVESTMENT SEASON

 Here is the first of several New Normals for you to implement.

1. INVESTMENT SEASON: Most athletic teams in the sports world have what they call an “off season”...that’s normal. My teams, and now yours, do not have such a season. In the spirit of Native American Tradition, we have as our new normal, the family “investment season,” based on a selfless, giving mode. Working together for something bigger than any one of us. Here’s how I implement this season with my teams. Let’s use lacrosse as an

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example. When “Fall Ball” is over around November 15 , the athletes

typically have approximately two months “off” during the holidays and when they return, have lost the big edge they built up with hard work all Fall.

What I do for my athletes is invite them to INVEST in their team so that they can collect dividends down the road. I appeal to them through one of our core values (Selflessness – see Part IV) by asking them to find ways to give, through work, to their teams. Here is how it unfolds:

1. How do you specifically want to be physically and mentally when we begin our season in 2 months?

2. What specifically do you need to do to make that happen? Their list can include items like go to the gym, practice stick skills, play wall ball, do cardio workouts.

3. Then I say, from your long list, choose 4 items that you’d be willing to commit to so you raise your level, come back fit and do this as a way to GIVE to your team, one truly fit teammate, in shape, ready to charge on the first day back. Do this as a way to demonstrate the value of Selflessness. Tell them how this is The Investment Season, our new normal.

4. Encourage them to form convenient small groups to keep each other motivated and focused. They can do group texts to keep checking progress.