Life is Like a Camera-Focus on What is Important

As I mentioned in last week’s letter, I have been working with a group of basketball players on a habit building challenge. Many of them have incorporated shooting the basketball into their challenge so one of the “challenges” I asked athletes to do was to have someone videotape them shooting from different angles, and then come up with what parts of shooting they are doing well and what areas they could improve on. I have always told players that “tape doesn’t lie” which is true, unless there has been edits or filters that have been applied!

You can imagine that these kids were like most of you who don’t like to see themselves on video or even in pictures! Most people look right away at the flaws and their personal appearance of the picture and struggle to find the positives. It was much easier for players to see what they weren’t doing right, vs what they were doing well. The purpose is to use it as a learning tool and players will be able to take video later and see improvement they have made, which is an awesome learning tool!

I came across a quote from Ziad Abdelnour that connects well with our use of cameras…. “Life is like a camera-focus on what is important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, take another shot.” What great words to think about when we take pictures or video and immediately make it a negative.

What was the purpose of the picture/video? Was it simply to capture the moment for posterity? Maybe we want to celebrate a momentous event? Sometimes we are trying to learn something and can use video/pictures as a learning tool. As Abdelnour says, we can always take another shot.

I must admit that in the past, I have been one of those people who questioned the need for taking pictures and videos and felt it was a waste of time. Interestingly, my professions all used video in some fashion. In sports, every game/match is taped and used for statistics and scouting. It’s why I can go back any time I want and watch my efforts to keep Caitlin Clark from scoring 60 in our gym…. 😀 In the classroom, video taping lessons can help teachers see things they otherwise wouldn’t notice because of all that is going on in class. Over the years, I learned so much from video and used the information for the right purpose.

Personally, as I have gotten older, I have tried to do a better job of taking family pictures and making sure major events are documented. These moments only happen once and being able to look back in time and remember the great times and hold those memories close are vital. Truly focus on what is important, understand not every picture/video will look perfect, but can improve our life in some fashion. Have a great week!

Coach K