ETDMTYS

“Always do more than is required of you.” —
General George S. Patton

Life is stressful. That’s a simple fact. It’s so easy to get caught up in the grind of the day and stay focused on what’s “unfair” or “not right.” It’s like we want to exert the least amount of effort possible in order to get through the day. And if we choose to remain in that place, we miss out on so much of what life has to offer.

During my time working for PGC Basketball, I was exposed to a way of thinking that completely transformed by approach to each day. What I discovered was the ability to have an ETDMTYS approach.

ETDMTYS is an acronym that stands for “Expect To Do More Than Your Share.” As coaches, we love disciplined athletes who not only take care of themselves, but are always looking to do extra. The same should be true for us as coaches. We should continually be on the lookout to do more than simply what’s required of us.

It doesn’t take much effort to look around your own life or the lives of others around you and identify opportunities for ETDMTYS. In fact, if you really get serious about doing more than your share on a daily basis, this approach will live itself out in two specific ways.

1) It won’t bother you when asked to help in areas that you might not “be responsible for.”

When a boss or coworker asks for help for something not in your job description, what’s your response? What about when you have to do something that you would’t chose to do? Most people will feel the pressure of being dumped on in an effort to make your life more difficult.

Instead, take the advice from best-selling author Jon Gordon and adopt the No Complaining Rule. And as you begin to EXPECT to do more than your share, it’s going to allow you the opportunity to be a star in our role and open new doors for your career.

2) You’ll begin to reach out and ask for additional tasks any time you have extra capacity.

This second piece is even more important than the first. I know we’re all busy, but anytime you have additional capacity to help out and do more, communicate that to those above you. Excellence and effectiveness will follow close behind!

By committing to this change in approach  not only will your teams and programs see immediate dividends for the remainder of this year but the real benefits will continue to show forth in the future.

I’ve also learned that it’s especially important for us as leaders to do these things in order to set an example to others who are usually less focused, less dedicated, and less interested in doing the “extras” that lead to success. If we use this time to be a great example to the athletes and other coaches around us in “doing more than your share”, I believe it will become a habit that your programs will be known by!