During a game, you don't ask the other team for permission to set the tempo because you know that permission will never come. In the same way, you aren't going to get permission from anyone to set the tempo in the locker room, in your education, or in your personal life; you just have to go first and set the tempo for yourself and others. Setting the tempo is about establishing the standard that you are going to uphold. A leader is defined by what they do, not what title they are given or what label is assigned to them. Leaders serve. Don't wait for permission to be a leader. Go first and be a leader. None of us can influence everyone, but we all have influence with someone. At its core, leadership is nothing but influence. So don't wait for permission to use your influence, go first.

Pillar: Servant Leadership

Key Topic: set the tempo; control the controllables; serve first; go first; servant leadership; setting the standard; influence

Great athletic programs are made of athletes and coaches who handle business every single day. You have a responsibility each morning that you wake up to do your job to a certain standard. That standard keeps you accountable to handle business. If you want to be a champion, you have to hold yourself to a champion's standard every single day. Success is just handling business day after day. It's true in sports, and it's true in life. If you want to be a champion, you have to hold yourself to a champion standard not just on the field or court, but in the locker room, in the hallway, and in your own living room.

Pillar: Work Ethic

Key Topics: work ethic; taking care of business; handle your business; championship standard; do your job; responsibility; accountability; upholding the standard

We've all experienced moments that have rattled us. We've all had times when we thought things were going to go one way, but then life threw us a curveball. In those moments we only have two choices: let that rattle shake us out of the game or roll with the rattle and change tactics. Everyone gets rattled sometimes. What matters is whether you let the rattle shake you or you roll with the rattle. If you roll when you get rattled, you'll find success in sports and in life.

Pillar: Grit

Key Topics: stress; anxiety; ought vs is; lose well; win well; grit; self-management; losing is an option

The concept of YouTube and confidence for athletes is similar to duct tape and bailing wire for coaches. They are tools with which you can achieve anything. With YouTube and confidence, you can do anything you set your mind to if you are willing to put in the work. YouTube (or the Internet in general) is a good place to find information; that's a valuable tool. But where do you find confidence? Confidence is found through working to make an impact in the lives of others. When you seek to make an impact, you don't worry about failure or setbacks.

Pillar: Growth Mindset

Key Topics: confidence; right work; right tools; effort; attitude; self-esteem; growth mindset; failure; learning from mistakes; learning from failure; encouragement

A leader is someone who helps others become their best. You might think that you aren't qualified to be a leader, but the truth is that anyone can be a leader. You've just got to get the first things first: Leaders follow leaders, leaders keep it simple, and leaders stay focused. You can become a great leader. It's not something out of reach. It's not just a daydream. Leadership is attainable, and you can start today. But you've got to get the first things first.

Pillar: Servant Leadership

Key Topics: servant leadership, serve first, lead, learn to follow, keep it simple, stay focused, overcome obstacles

When you go after something big, there's no way you can achieve it in a day or even a week. Big goals and dreams take a long time to reach, so you need a plan for how to get there. That plan is where you aim small. There's a big goal that you're working towards, but before you can get there, you have to do all the little, daily things that will build on each other over time. Remember: To reach big dreams, you've got to aim small.

Pillar: Goals

Key Topics: daily work, hard work, goals, focus on the little things, focus on the goal

Here is the simple and difficult truth: The only thing standing between you and your goals is the work that you have to do. Achieving your goals is very simple, you just have to do the work that your goals require. But, simple does not mean easy. In fact, the simple work that will get you to your goals will be really difficult.

If you want to reach your goals, you don't need anyone to motivate you or tell you how to do it, you just need to hear and accept the simple and difficult truth, and then go out and do the work required.

Pillar: Growth Mindset

Key Topics: hard work, work hard, quick and easy, how to do what you don't want to do, handle business, get good at being bored, boredom, motivation

Are you a pretender or a contender? Everybody will say that they are contenders, but what do their actions show? At first glance, pretenders and contenders look the same, but that's only on the surface. If we look a bit deeper, the differences become clear. Whether you are a pretender or a contender has nothing to do with your words and everything to do with your actions. If you want to be a contender, follow your integrity, embrace what you can become, and be patient in pursuit of your goals.

Pillar: Grit

Key Topics: grit, growth, hard work, effort, integrity, who you are on the inside, daily work