What Builds Your Confidence?

The question I posed to many athletes, "What builds your confidence?" It is a question that didn't require too much time for answers to pour out. Here are some of the common answers:
* Being prepared
* Parents in the stands
* Being in the "zone"
But, the number one answer given was, "The support and cheers of my teammates."

Ironically most people feel that their teammates support is important for their confidence, but individuals fail to give their all to support their teammates to offer them that same confidence. A change in mentality must occur in order to create the best environment for the team. Again, it comes down to choosing to be a little less selfish and a bit more of a servant. Think of this scenario, all of the players on a team are most concerned with cheering on and supporting their teammates. What would that do for the teammates? What would that do for the individual? My guess is that if everyone chose to do their absolute best supporting their teammates, they would receive the same in turn. What would a game be like if each player gave their unbridled support to each teammate from start to finish? What would a season be like? Make it a goal to find out.

"The most important thing in good leadership is truly caring. The best leaders in any profession care about the people they lead, and the people who are being led know when the caring is genuine and when it's faked or not there at all. I was a demanding coach, but my players knew that I cared for them." Dean Smith, former North Carolina Men's Basketball Coach