If It’s Not on the Calendar, It’s Not a Priority

A personal share today: Like many of you, I’m closing in on the start of high school hoops season and deep in prep mode. Between practice, film, weights, scouting, travel, games, and grade checks, there’s no shortage of processes to plan and calendar for the next 4–5 months.

While I love the prep work, it can get overwhelming — the sheer volume of planning can eat up your entire headspace.

One thing I started seven years ago, though, was mapping out my #TeamsOfMen calendar back in August. Back then it was at the college level; now, it’s part of our high school rhythm. I knew that if I waited until the season rush, it would be too easy to push those sessions aside — or drop them altogether. Because when you’re staring down a Wednesday during conference play, and you’re fuming over a blown pick-and-roll coverage, it’s easy to say, “we don’t have 20–30 minutes for character work today.”

So instead, as I sit here in full prep mode, what I claim to value most — building space for young men to grow in their humanity — is already set in stone. It’s on the calendar. The time is protected. The stress about whether it’ll “fit in” is gone.

Coach Prompts

• Do I schedule character work with the same discipline I schedule practice?

• What parts of my “values” are actually visible in my team calendar?

• If I looked at my season plan, could anyone tell what I say I care about most?

Player Prompts

• What are the things in your week that you claim to care about but don’t actually make time for?

• How could scheduling time for self-reflection or growth make you a better teammate?

• When the season gets stressful, what helps you keep your priorities straight?