Jay Bilas (ESPN College Basketball) made a statement to the players we were working with at one of our summer workouts. That statement has stuck with me, and I use it often with our players to this day. He told the guys, “Don’t just try to get through the workout; try to get from the workout.” This is so true now that the season is getting into the late stages. Not only do the players need to get something out of each skill development session they have, but they must also get something from practice every day as well. The ability of a team or a player to get something from every practice session is what will separate a lot of them from the rest of the pack as the battle for tournament and playoff spots wages on. Human nature says that when fatigue sets in we often will try to just get through this practice or through this skill workout. What successful teams do is understand the need and the importance of each, and that they have to get something from these sessions. The more they get from these sessions the better the chances are for successful results. So as you talk to your team, it’s important to make sure they know that they have a choice each time they walk onto the floor, into the weight room, or even into a film session. They can do what the average teams do and just try to get through the session. Or they can make a championship decision and get something from each session. It takes a little bit higher level of concentration and focus to get something from each session, but it pays much greater rewards in the long run! A simple decision, if you ask me. On a side note, I think this philosophy can apply to coaches and in the corporate setting as well. So often I hear people trying to just get through the day. Yet when I think about the characteristics of successful people, I often find that they seem to get more from their day than others. We all have to make sure that we are not just going to work but that we are getting something from our day — not just getting through our day. Pretty simple…….through or from. Which mindset will make you more productive? Which mindset will make you feel better about your day today?