#ImproveEveryDay

I posted a string of tweets yesterday aimed at ways to improve every day. Here is the full list:

1. #ImproveEveryDay by reading about/from those who already are where you want to be.


2. #ImproveEveryDay by prioritizing your day. Doesn't matter how, but develop a system that works for you!


3. #ImproveEveryDay by being productive w/ down time. Make it deliberate, not convenient.


4. #ImproveEveryDay by reviewing old notes, applying those ideas, then innovating from them.


5. #ImproveEveryDay by carrying a pen + pad, and using them. Write down your ideas and good ones you hear.


6. #ImproveEveryDay by seeking out significant professional relationships, and cultivating them.


7. #ImproveEveryDay by having a Grad Assistant mentality. No task is beneath you, and find other ways to contribute when you finish yours!


8. #ImproveEveryDay by learning to say no. Don't stretch yourself too thin - allow room to focus.


9. #ImproveEveryDay with a WIN mentality - Work Hard. Intensity. No excuses.


10. #ImproveEveryDay by remembering that the best leaders are servants first. People follow those who do something for them!


If you like the list and have anything to add, please leave it as a comment!

Individual Development Clinic

Finally, my videos from my individual improvement clinic at our 2011 Houghton College Basketball Camp are uploaded and working. It has been a frustrating process at times, and I owe a big shout out to one of our players for his help in putting this project together. The following links are to the four videos. The first three are about 15 minutes each, the fourth is only a few minutes. I know they're long, but if you have some time, I'd love to get a reaction to my clinic - especially from other coaches! Let me know what works, what doesn't, and how I can improve!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

As always, if you have questions or comments please feel free to leave them here, e-mail me, or find me on twitter as @HC_CoachWright.

Organization and Productivity

When I think about my first year+ with our program, I think the two areas where I needed to learn and evaluate myself the most were organization and productivity. Admittedly, I was very haphazard about my work space and often inefficient in my time management. I'd like to talk about them together because I do not believe these two concepts are mutually exclusive, but instead are intertwined throughout the work environment.

Folders. Shelves. Drawers. Binders. Notebooks. All are great ways to organize different materials around the office. They're also things that I could have had an allergy to throughout my first year. I had papers on my desk, clothes and shoes on the floor, and no discernible system to keep myself organized. Anytime somebody asked, I referred to it as "organized chaos", and said I knew right where everything was. In truth, I found myself scrambling to come up with paperwork, receipts, and other projects. I realized that the appearance I was giving off was that my work didn't matter to me - it was all over the place and it wasn't a big deal. This was affecting my productivity on a daily basis. 

Without a system to know which projects were urgent, and which could be tabled, I found myself losing time throughout the day. I had started the year with a plan that worked, but hadn't stuck to it once I felt that I "got the hang of things." I felt rushed to complete assignments and was never quite sure I had everything done. Because I wasn't sure where to start, I didn't know if I was stopping early, late, or when I should. Early this summer my office moved to a different room, and that move forced me to organize my working area. I'm thankful for this opportunity, because I now feel much more composed in the workplace. I have been able to start a few personal projects that will help me long-term, and I'm more organized with my assignments for work. With that new organization has come an increase in productivity and confidence as I understand my time management needs and have gotten back into a system that works for prioritizing assignments.

Here are a list of things I'm using to keep myself more organized and productive for the 2011-12 season:

• White board calendar
• Microsoft Outlook task manager
• File Folders for receipts, practice plans, and scouting materials
• Immediate transfer of incoming e-mails to online database
• A "no piles" policy on my desk
• A "no clothes" policy on my floor
• A book case converted into storage area w/ space for:
• Workout clothes
• Personal and Player Development notes
• My (hopefully growing) basketball DVD library
• Team-related notes and notebooks
• Recruiting materials
• Virtual Post-it notes (color coded by importance)

If you have any additional ideas about organization or productivity, please comment!

Self Improvement

My three top priorities in life are family, God, and coaching. Every day, I strive to improve myself in at least one (and hopefully all) of these areas. I know I need to improve in all of them, and any day that I don't get better is a day I got worse by default. I've found that nothing helps me improve as much as reading.

A good friend and mentor once told me "there are two ways to improve yourself: the people you talk to, and the books you read." I'll read anything I can get my hands on that deals with self improvement or professional development. I try to spend time each night reading scripture. Reading helps me to look at myself in perspective, and constantly gives me new ideas on how I can become better at each of my top priorities. It allows me to be creative and reflective, and shows me alternative views that I haven't considered.

If you have read anything good lately, leave the name of it in the comments section. I'm always looking for new sources and new material. One thing I'd like to start doing this year is listening to podcasts and audiobooks on the bus after games as a way to make more efficient use of all that travel time. If you know of any good ones - pass them on!

I'll end with another of my favorite quotes. "The man who won't read has no advantage over the man who can't."

Quote of the week

I want to start a new idea with my blog - a quote for the week every week. This first one I found on the blog of University of Rhode Island DoBO Chris Passmore.

"If you are irritated by every rub, how will you ever be polished?" - Rumi


I think there is a lot of truth in this quote and I know it can be applied to my life.

Please comment and leave your thoughts on this quote, and the quote of the week concept!