Tip #16 "Master the Fundamentals"

I just finished watching the 2008 NCAA Championship game as Kansas defeats Memphis in overtime. It was painful for me to watch these college kids from Memphis watch their dream quickly turn to a nightmare as they could not hold on to a 9 point lead with less than 2 minutes to play because they could not make free throws when it mattered.

Quite frankly, I picked Memphis to be in the Championship game. But, I picked them to lose for that very reason...They are weak at free throws.

Folks, it is vital vital vital for us to master the fundamentals in whatever we choose to do. Whether it is in our personal life or professional life we must be a master of the fundamentals.

What are they? That depends on your situation. For me, personally I know that children spell love "T I M E" so I have made an effort to work from home for the past 5 1/2 years. In regard to time spent with my family I have no regrets.

My wife and I spend a lot of time together...almost too much if you ask her.... :-) We have a date night almost every week. This has done wonders for our relationship. On top of that we are heavily involved in the church that we are members of. We pray together and praise the Lord together. If it wasn't for those basics I hate to imagine what our marriage and family would look like.

When it comes to my spiritual life(keep in mind I am a Christian) I try to be consistent with two simple things....prayer and reading the bible. I wish I could say I did both every single day. But, I do not. Most days yes...But, mastering the fundamentals...working on it. :-)

In my professional life I am in sales and I am a professional speaker. The fundamentals are simply sending emails, picking up the phone, and meeting people face to face. I am pleased with my efforts professionally.

Physically is where I am failing for the time being. I really need to focus on the fundamentals here once again. Simple exercise 20 minutes a day, eating smaller portions as the day becomes night along with increased protein and decreasing bad carbs. Sounds easy. But, as I told someone recently knowledge is nothing unless it is applied.

What fundamentals do you need to master? I challenge you to take something on for the next 3 weeks to begin to master the fundamentals so that you will not be brought to tears someday like the Memphis Tigers. These graduating seniors will have to live the rest of their lives with the fact that they lost because they did not master the fundamentals of free throws.

Tip #16 "Master the Fundamentals"