... watched the video ...

OWNERSHIP

When Mike Singletary went off during his press conference after the loss his 49er's suffered at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks in the 08-09 NFL season, the first thing he did, was HE OWNED IT. He talked about his perspective, about how like most folks getting a new position, he was enthusiastic about being able to do things 'his way'. Of course, there was the rush to make things happen that gave way to the realization of what's what.

FORMULA

He made 3 points ... why does that sound familiar (a yes, a no, a straight line ..?) about how that he saw it. The change was going to come from them, and they were going to do the things that were going to measure their success. As he stated how they were going to go about their success, he also made sure the players took their slice, by 'wanting it to change.'

OVERRIDING IDEAL

You can't cost the team. A lot of times, problems occur when someone isn't a part of the team. No matter what, Mike told you what is his preference. If you are with someone who isn't going to commit to the cause, then you 'can't play with them ...'. You partnership in a relationship is behaves much the same way.

Why do people find themselves in something with people that they KNOW they can't rely on? I can understand not catching it at first, and letting things slide by early on, but once it becomes a pattern, it is all on you ... and once you understand that ...

IT'S WINNING TIME

Who wants to win? Mike himself used the 'bad relationship' analogy, and again he took his slice first. Are you a part of your own problem? People like to use the phrase 'dig in' when they mean they are going to make the tough yet effective decisions. For me, the language is wrong, doesn't accurately reflect the intent ... or maybe it does.

'Winning time' is about standing your ground and making due with what is availble and not taking a backward step from where you are. When people 'dig in', they have a tendency to find themselves in a deeper hole, and could get buried in the mess they sought to avoid.

'Winning time' is about doing the hard things, deciding to be committed to what's best no matter what. 'The Greatest Generation' did that, neuroses and all.

I like to think about how people say crap stuff like 'I can do bad by myself', which is like 'digging in'. Why do bad at all? I prefer to think that I can 'get it going' with you OR without you.

It depends on how you do during 'winning time'.

Sometimes, you have to take inventory and find out if it is about 'them' or is it about 'the team', once you make sure that you are 'selling out'. Did that with my ex wife, stopping in the 'glory of my youth' to try to make the marriage work ... and the guilt at having not tried hard enough at making things work with her (and other relationships), I stuck it out with Mookie.

I do feel that I am solution oriented ... and I have to get back into believing that. As Mike ended the conference, he spoke about how he wasn't going to feed the press the lame excuses that you generally hear from coaches in his situation. Sounds a lot like the things that are heard from some insincere person trying to repair a failing relationship. Mike closed with just owning what was wrong, and promising that you can watch and see what IS going to be what!!

THIS YEAR...

For me, is going to be about 'winning time'. I have set a course, and I am going to maintain the direction I am in, letting the process work itself out. Not going to get discouraged by the first 'ungood' thing to happen or let my mind get to far ahead or from where I have determined to go.

About to go and hit the laterine and get ready for the Fly Skimmie. She seems enthused ... I am enthused. It is going to be good to see someone I go back so far with ...

...though as for that, not getting 'call backs' from certain folks (Hutch as well as Tee Jay) sort of puts things in perspective for me ...