Reduce Friction
One Idea
In terms of improvement over time, there are two strategies for unlocking sustained growth. The first is the most obvious: add force to what it is you’re doing. In team sports, this could be recruiting better talent, teaching better schemes, or playing with more intensity.
The next strategy is less obvious, but it’s easier to attain: reduce friction. This could be correcting mistakes, limiting distractions, or keeping things simple.
Source: kvknox.com
As a rule, reducing friction is easier than adding force.
In his first 15 seasons at UCLA, John Wooden lost 125 games. During that span, his teams were up and down, many finished just above 500, and none reached the Final Four. By no means did he consider this period a waste, though. In fact, Wooden credits his sustained improvement to those early years and learning how to lose.
“Losing is only temporary and not all encompassing. You must study (your losses), learn from it, and try hard not to lose the same way again. Then you must have the self-control to forget about it.”
A key to Coach Wooden’s gradual improvement was his willingness to analyze losses and reduce friction. He said, “try hard not to lose the same way again.” And herein lies one of the few great things about losing: it showcases all the friction we now get to reduce. Frankly, winning probably covered over a multitude of friction points we should’ve corrected weeks ago.
In 1963, UCLA finally broke through. That year, the Bruins went 30-0, and they won the NCAA National Championship. In his final 12 seasons at the school, Wooden only lost 22 games. During that span, his teams won 10 national championships and went undefeated 4 times. Reduce friction, gradually add force, and improvement will accumulate.
Two Quotes
“Don’t run from your weaknesses. You will only give them strength. Face them, and you’re the one who’s strengthened.” - Stephen Richards
“A mistake is valuable if you do four things with it: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.” - John Wooden
Three Takeaways
1. This doesn’t get easier; we get stronger. The man who lifts 300 lbs with ease isn’t able to do so because it’s easy, but because he’s gotten stronger. This season won’t get easier, but we will get stronger. Whether by adding force or reducing friction, may this be our continued story.
2. Losing is an event, not a character trait. Tell me, what’s changed? Are we not the same team today we were a week ago, if not better? Yes, losing stings (and losing players really hurts), but it also presents opportunity for improvement and resolve. The emotions of a loss challenge our will, but they don’t threaten our identity.
3. “...Forget it.” Once you recognize the friction, you work to reduce it, and then you forget it. Mistakes of the past are useful until they aren’t, and then we must leave them where they belong, in the past.
