The Daily Grind: Discipline is the foundation for greatness

This week, a lot of you guys will be stepping onto the football field, swinging your racks on the tennis court or hitting the bases for softball. Before the sports season officially gets going, I wanted to provide another tool for the daily grind of being a student-athlete.

Are you the same person or player when no one is looking? Do you take care of all your tasks or duties without being told? If so, you have mastered one of the key tools for being a successful student-athlete, and it’s called self-discipline.

Self-discipline is about getting the job done without having anyone standing over your shoulder, which can be tough with juggling practice, school and social life.

Self-discipline is necessary for any player involved with athletics and can also be beneficial in other aspects of life. Having discipline will create a great work ethic and build a skill of consistency in getting things done.

If you're considering playing a particular sport at the collegiate level, self-discipline will be the only thing that stands in the way of you being a struggling athlete or a great one.

I have talked to many coaches on both levels and what they typically always brag about is having certain players that can do the work without having to remind them every day.

These are the questions you must ask yourself when being or becoming a student-athlete: Can I make it to morning weights, work on my skills outside of practice, be on time for team meetings and hang out with friends and family while maintaining solid grades inside the classroom?

At the end of the day, it's not up to the coaches or parents to keep you motivated on your journey to success, it's up to you.

Before the season gets going, I want to challenge all student-athletes to stay on top of their game. Be at practice on time, and be on time for school every morning. Be alert and involved, and allow self-discipline to spill over into the classroom.

I promise you it will take a lot of pressure off you by not having to worry about getting an assignment done. There is nothing like having a free mind while you're playing sports.

Self-discipline can also go hand-in-hand during the game. Be able to compose yourself during a bad call or whenever you make a mistake. Don't allow a player on the opposing team or a referee to ruffle your feathers, stay disciplined and focused.

When you have self-discipline, you’re going to work on days even when you're not feeling your best., but that's what makes a great student-athlete: being consistent with your routine of everyday life.

Establishing self-discipline isn’t something that can occur overnight, so to those players who struggle with it, feel free to lean on your teammates or coaches for support.

To the parents, coaches and friends, encourage the student-athletes to have self-discipline and remind them of the promises they made to their team about being ready.

I wish you all the best of luck as you begin your fall sports, and remember, nothing in this world can stop you from achieving greatness if you stick to the daily grind.