longer.blue

When I’m playing a sport, I always believe we’re going to win. We could be losing badly. Time could be running out. Everything could appear to be going against us. I still refuse to mentally concede the game before it is over. I play every possession with complete confidence that we can come back. I communicate that belief to my teammates. I bring energy when everyone is tired. I remind them that the score is the current situation—not the final outcome. I will my team toward victory. Through energy, effort, focus, leadership, and refusing to quit. Belief changes how you play. When you believe the game is already lost, your posture drops. You hesitate. You stop communicating. You make fearful decisions and preserve energy instead of attacking the next opportunity. When you believe victory is still possible, you remain alert. You run harder. You take the shot confidently. You encourage your teammates. You fight for one more possession. You keep creating opportunities until the final whistle. Belief does not guarantee victory. But surrendering mentally almost guarantees that you will perform below your potential. During the game, I believe completely. After the game, I accept reality completely. If we lose, I examine what happened, learn from it, and improve. But until the clock reaches zero, I will never help the other team defeat us by giving up inside my own mind. The game is not over until it is over. And as long as there is time left, I believe we are going to win.