by David DeFord

When a basketball team finds itself on the wrong side of momentum, when its opponent has gained the advantage, the coach calls a time out.

The pause in the action can break the momentum and allows the coach to adjust the game plan. He may change from a man-to-man defense to a zone. He may organize his team to double-team one hot opponent. He may have noticed a weakness on the other side that his team can exploit.

This time out can boost the team’s confidence and break its downward cycle. It can turn the tide of the game.

In the cycles of life and business we also have times when we must break the rhythm of failure and loss. Occasionally we must call time out.

During this break in the action we must assess what is working and what is not. We compare our results to our goals and adjust our plans as needed.

Like athletic teams we may need a good coach to help us reach our goals. They can serve as outside observers who can identify weak areas in our plans, suggest resources that may help us, and help us focus on the areas that will bring us the greatest victory.

During your time out you may decide you need more education. You can identify books, courses, or seminars that will boost your confidence and break your downward momentum.

Call time out, assess your level of success and make adjustments to your game plan.

You can become a true champion.

Quotes

Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one's levels of aspiration and expectation. Jack Niklaus

Personal development is your springboard to personal excellence. Ongoing, continuous, non-stop personal development literally assures you that there is no limit to what you can accomplish. Brian Tracy

Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity. Lou Holtz

The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur. Vince Lombardi

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination. Tommy Lasorda

The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck. Channing Pollock

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordon

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By the way, there's no hype in that paragraph. That's exactly how it was. Eric Garner

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