Respect a Resolution

New years is always time of reflection.

People check in on how they are doing, they evaluate, and then they make goals for the following year.

I made some, scratch that, I made a bunch.

When I make goals, I tend to make them huge and in wide variety of areas of my life.

I’m not really one for choosing seemingly attainable goals.

I would rather dream big, aim for greatness, and give myself the beautiful opportunity to fail and fall short.

Get it? Failing is a gift, why?

Because have a proven track record of the comeback being even more vicious then the initial attempt.

Let’s talk New Years, goals, and how I have been leveling up my mindset lately.

Why I Do This:

This message meant a lot to me because I know the feeling of having a poor relationship with basketball. The main reason I chose to pursue a pro career was because I wasn’t satisfied with leaving my relationship with basketball at the point it was at the end of my college career.

Basketball can be a huge source of joy, purpose, and passion in our lives, but it can also be a major pain point and source of stress. It is our job to learn how to define this relationship with healthy boundaries and awareness so that it can be used for our good.

It was cool to hear that I helped this young hooper “rebuild his relationship with basketball”.

I am proud of us.

Thoughts From This Week

A Year Can Change a Whole Lot

New Year’s had a weird feel to me this year.

Normally, like most people I get this surge of motivation to make these drastic changes in my life.

This year I did not get that in the same way.

Instead, I felt unsettled and a bit unnerved at the thought of entering a new year.

As I reflected on my emotions, I recognized that the feeling was more of this impending doom or anticipation of a very different reality.

This feeling really intensified when I would recall where I was at this same time the year before.

In 2024 I developed as a person at rate I had never experienced before.

I believe this was due to a couple of things:

1. Discovery of intention.

   I physically wrote down who I wanted to be almost every day with actionable steps I would take. I maybe did not know the big picture destination, but I knew the step I was going to take each day and I took it.

2. Life threw me some serious shit.

   I had some terrible, terrible things happen to my family and I this year. Life can be cruel. Its not going to always be smooth sailing and honestly a lot of the time it will suck. It is our job to navigate these things and search for the silver lining even if there is none.

3. I made the choice.

   I can proudly say that whenever I realized what the necessary choice was, I would make it no matter the amount of work it would take. I did not run from the decisions that I thought were needed.

Because of these three things, it has been hard for me to grasp the difference between the person I am today and the person I was a year ago.

It is almost unrecognizable.

The source of my unsettled feeling is the thought of having to do this over again.

It was exhausting. It was a grind. It feels daunting now, but guess what?

I know exactly how I am going to do it again:

I’ll start with giving myself an extra 15 minutes each morning to write down that intention.

Who will I be today?

Then go be it.

Day after day.

When I simplify it down to this, I can feel myself start to settle and realize that nothing is new.

Everything is opportunity.

I have the power to write my own story.

And so do you.

Systems as Sustenance

This week, I reflected on the distinction between athletes who transform a breakout game into a breakout season and ultimately elevate their performance, versus those who experience temporary success but then falter.

I discussed this concept with my friend and business partner, Kyle, and we consistently returned to the term ‘systems.’

Although often overused in the business realm, the idea of systems is crucial.

A system refers to a structured process aimed at achieving a specific outcome; the more refined and efficient the system, the fewer unnecessary steps and errors it contains.

While anyone can stumble upon success through luck, true consistency and repeatability arise from efficient systems.

It's possible for a player to have a standout game or even a solid season without a structured workout plan, a balanced diet, or a focus on recovery.

However, sustained performance and ongoing improvement hinge on the systems in place.

What are your non-negotiables in the pursuit of consistent peak performance?

For me, they include:

1. Completing 3-4 workouts outside of team practice each week, depending on my physical condition and team commitments.

2. Writing down my intentions for the day and practice each morning.

3. Journaling before every game.

4. Surrounding myself with truth tellers.

5. Continuously seeking new ideas to enhance my development.

These five practices have not only kept me on track but have also fostered my growth year after year.

Take a moment to evaluate your basketball development journey.

Identify the essential actions that will enable you to perform well in games and evolve as a player.

Write them down and commit to them unwaveringly.

Then, consider what habits may be hindering your progress.

Document these as well, and either eliminate them or find more beneficial alternatives

By establishing a robust system, you can work towards your breakout and rely on these systems to maintain your elevated level of performance.

Atypical Principle #9

Don’t Be Consumed

I went head to head with our rivals Sporting CP in an Emotional Lisbon derby matchup.

This game was emotional with the added pressure of this historical rivalry.

In these types of games and environments, it can be easy to get caught up in the emotions of the moment and lose your focus.

The goal is not to be emotionless, but rather above your emotions.

Feel them, but don’t be consumed by them.

I’ll Leave You With This:

The New Year is a time of reflection.

If you are not satisfied with how your 2024 turned out, then I have good news for you.

2025 is upon us.

You hold all the cards for this year.

Make it your best one yet.

Every step forward is progress.

March on and 2025 is yours for the taking.

Cheers to another year of learning to live Atypical.

Trey