Three Lists

From a non-ultimate blog (yes, they exist):

When considering a new project, it might help to make three lists:

A list of everything that has to be true for this to be a good project (things you can look up, research or otherwise prove).

A list of all the skills you don’t have that would be important for this project to work (things you can learn, or hire).

And a list of everything you’re afraid of, or things that are essential and that are out of your control….

On paper, it's a lot easier to find the real truth.

I like this as a personal and a team exercise at the beginning of the season. Maybe you do this in a team meeting, maybe you just write this in the Notes app on your phone and check back every few weeks or months in the season.

List 1: What has to be true for this to be a good season

It would set you or your team up for failure to make your list something like:

• Winning Nationals

It would be productive to have your list include things like:

• Having the whole team buy in
• Attendance at practices and tournaments
• Dedication to fitness and conditioning
• Recruiting
• Learning and running endzone sets
• A loud and helpful sideline

List 2: Skills we don't have that would be important for a successful season

It would be unproductive to say:

• Everything
• Rookies who can jump onto the starting O line
• Good defense

It would be useful to think about:

• Help defense
• A good mark
• Pivoting with the disc
• Handler sets
• Knowing which way the wind is going (apparently this is a thing that people struggle with)

List 3: What we're afraid of/what we can't control

This list can include anything. There's nothing off-limits for this list - if you're afraid of it or you can't control it and it matters to you, put it on the list. Then start to forget about it.

A reasonable list for your team:

• Michigan
• The weather
• Ultiworld coverage
• Other teams
• Not getting invited to good tournaments

A reasonable list for you:

• Michigan
• The weather
• Getting mentioned in Ultiworld
• Starting on O or D line
• Playing time

Three lists: What you want, what you need to work on, and what won't stop you.