While sitting at home eagerly watching March Madness, I was looking at my brackets attempting to pick the next national championship team and I felt compelled to write this letter to you. Let me say upfront that I am an avid sports fan and cant imagine what life would be without sports. However, I know not everyone has the same appreciation and this letter, though about basketball, is really about being our own champions of choice. Yep, it is about you and me. Here is my question, Are you in the game or are you sitting in the nose bleed section of the stands as a passive observer watching your life go by? Hmmm, really consider this. Are you playing your A game or are you settling for a D-? Well the truth is, I asked myself this question and I must be honest. I am not totally in the game like I know I can be. I have really been on the sidelines kind of warming the bench and cheering for my teammates, coaches, referees, waterboys/watergirls, mascots, and anyone else who walks by.

Now, I absolutely must commend myself because I have moved from the top of the arena down out of my nose bleed seats to the bench. I am progressing and getting closer. (Yes, I do totally believe in celebrating every step! Whooohooo!) My friends, I know that I can still play a much, much better game that will be even more rewarding and fulfilling. How about you?

As I look at the college players playing their hearts out on national TV, I realize that although the CBS TV contract is worth billions, the players are not legally allowed to profit in the form of money from the sport. Yet, they are giving their all for a dream, a vision, an opportunity, a chance to play! What about you? Are you giving your all even though you arent being adequately compensated for your dream, your vision, your chance?

I see several themes that are emerging as 64 teams strive to make it to the Final Four.

Leadership principles I noticed are:
The best players are in the game as much as possible. They dont want to warm the bench or watch the game from the stands. They want to be in the game.
The great players shoot when they have the ball. If they have the ball and can make the shotthey dont hesitate to shoot it.
When you look at the best players, you can see the confidence on their faces and in their body movements. This confidence helps the ball to go into the hoop when they shoot.
The great players realize that you have to be on the court to play. They are willing to get out there, get dirty, and sweat for the whole game (both halves at about 20 minutes each).
The best players shoot often and recover quickly when they miss shots.
The best players want to win. They arent just playing because they have nothing better to do. They want to win!
The best shooters arent just shooting aimlessly. They are sizing up the best shots and passing when they feel that someone else on the team has a better chance of making the shot.
They listen to the coach and recognize that he/she is a partner in their success.
Each player has a role on the team. They delegate roles and decide what it will take to win the game before they start.
The teams play until the last second. They will foul, shoot, and do whatever it takes in an effort to win. They will not give up until the time runs out on the clock.
While the game is going on, they fully engage themselves in playing the game. They dont have one foot on the bench and the other foot on the court. They have both feet on the court and they run back and forth excluding time outs and half time for the full 40 minutes on a court that is 94 feet by 50 feet.
To withstand the physical challenges of the game, the best players have a workout plan that keeps them in shape mentally and physically.
When they dont win the game they are not happy. They take the loss personally and immediately shift their focus to the next time.

You might be asking how this applies to you and I, and I am glad you asked that question. It is time for us to ask ourselves if we are playing the game as if we are looking to win the Final Four, or if we are just playing the game of life recklessly to get by.

With the things that you want most in your life, can you honestly say that you are fully on the court and in the game? Are you taking the shots when you have the opportunity, or are you waiting until you get closer to the basket? Are you hoping that you will have a better shot? The truth is, no shot is guaranteed to go in. We have a much better chance of making the shots we actually take. If we dont shoot, we cant make it. I always use my life as a testimony because I really want to be vulnerable so that you and I can both make the shot. As I looked over theses questions, I realized that it is time for me to take more shots.

I created the following quiz to gauge your readiness to reach the Final Four in your life. Are you experiencing a personal March Madness? Decide what the ball or game is a metaphor for in your life before you take the quiz (e.g., your career, your relationship, a new relationship, entrepreneurialism, your weight, or whatever it is you need to SLAM DUNK). Rate each item using a scale of one to ten with one being the lowest score and ten being the highest.

Rate from 1 to 10 March Madness Quiz (1 being least and 10 being highest)

I am in the game as much as possible. (Examples: If you are in sales, you are knocking on every door you see. If you want to be in a relationship, you are putting yourself in the places where this will be most successful.)

I am looking for opportunities (new ideas, new clients, new relationships, etc.) whenever possible.

I exude confidence in my face and in my other nonverbal behavior.

I am getting out there, getting dirty, and sweating to reach my goal.

I am shooting the ball often and recovering quickly when things dont go my way.

I am totally focused on being successful at _________ (fill in the blank)

I have a clear plan of attack and execute.

I often delegate to others.

I have a success coach or accountability partner who helps me focus.

I know my roles and responsibilities.

I am totally engaged with __________ for a specific amount of time daily.

I have both feet in the game and believe that my success is possible.

I physically exercise.

I exercise my mind through reading/ listening that empowers me.

I exercise my soul.

I view obstacles as opportunities and I quickly develop a new plan when my old plan is not working.

130- 160 Congrats! You are in the game! You are making some really difficult shots. You continue shooting and passing as needed. You know that you are true contender for the championship. You are a real champion of choice. You make the choices that others only dream about. It isnt easy and congrats on doing it. You get the chances to sweet taste of success! High five!

81-129: You are on the court. You get to play, but you arent a starter, yet. Brainstorm ways you can become the starter. Imagine what it would be like if you consistently played in the game. How would your life be different? What are you going to do about it?

Below 80 You are not on the court. Get in the game! You are guaranteed to miss the shots you dont try. Its time for a full court press.
Decide what you want and go after it.
Create a Plan
Follow through
Become a life- long learner. Read/listen to success strategies that will help you reach your goal.
Create a support system and eliminate toxic people from your life! 130- 160 Congrats! You are in the game! You are making some really difficult shots. You continue shooting and passing as needed. You know that you are true contender for the championship. You are a real champion of choice. You make the choices that others only dream about. It isnt easy and congrats on doing it. You get the chances to sweet taste of success! High five!

81-129: You are on the court. You get to play, but you arent a starter, yet. Brainstorm ways you can become the starter. Imagine what it would be like if you consistently played in the game. How would your life be different? What are you going to do about it?

Below 80 You are not on the court. Get in the game! You are guaranteed to miss the shots you dont try. Its time for a full court press.
Decide what you want and go after it.
Create a Plan
Follow through
Become a life- long learner. Read/listen to success strategies that will help you reach your goal.
Create a support system and eliminate toxic people from your life!

130- 160 Congrats! You are in the game! You are making some really difficult shots. You continue shooting and passing as needed. You know that you are true contender for the championship. You are a real champion of choice. You make the choices that others only dream about. It isnt easy and congrats on doing it. You get the chances to sweet taste of success! High five!

81-129: You are on the court. You get to play, but you arent a starter, yet. Brainstorm ways you can become the starter. Imagine what it would be like if you consistently played in the game. How would your life be different? What are you going to do about it?

Below 80 You are not on the court. Get in the game! You are guaranteed to miss the shots you dont try. Its time for a full court press.
Decide what you want and go after it.
Create a Plan
Follow through
Become a life- long learner. Read/listen to success strategies that will help you reach your goal.
Create a support system and eliminate toxic people from your life!

130- 160 Congrats! You are in the game! You are making some really difficult shots. You continue shooting and passing as needed. You know that you are true contender for the championship. You are a real champion of choice. You make the choices that others only dream about. It isnt easy and congrats on doing it. You get the chances to sweet taste of success! High five!

81-129: You are on the court. You get to play, but you arent a starter, yet. Brainstorm ways you can become the starter. Imagine what it would be like if you consistently played in the game. How would your life be different? What are you going to do about it?

Below 80 You are not on the court. Get in the game! You are guaranteed to miss the shots you dont try. Its time for a full court press.
Decide what you want and go after it.
Create a Plan
Follow through
Become a life- long learner. Read/listen to success strategies that will help you reach your goal.
Create a support system and eliminate toxic people from your life!