Revisiting an Attitude of Gratitude

In December, my newsletter entry talked about the importance of expressing gratitude, especially when facing tough times. An attitude of gratitude means actively appreciating the people, experiences, and opportunities in your life, even in the face of challenges. It’s about shifting your focus from what’s lacking to what’s present, recognizing the small victories, and maintaining a positive perspective. In sports, gratitude isn’t just about winning—it’s about appreciating the journey, the lessons learned, and the people who contribute to success.

I wanted to revisit this topic as I have been watching a lot of basketball this week with a select few teams ending their seasons with a win and a championship. Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Tom Lilly’s team ended his career by winning the 4A state championship on Saturday-the first time I can remember a high school girls coaching ending his career with a win! The very high majority of teams end their season with a loss, which if you are a senior, ends your career with a loss. This is a very difficult reality that almost all athletes and coaches face so how should they deal with such a tough circumstance?

When the final game doesn’t go your way, it’s natural to feel disappointment. But in those moments, the greatest athletes and coaches I have observed choose to shift their mindset from regret to gratitude. Gratitude for the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the moments that shaped them. Making it more about the journey and the process vs the results.

I remember last year when Caitlin Clark ended her career with a second straight loss in the championship game. After all she had been through, ultimately, she was filled with gratitude: “Words cannot express my love for my teammates, coaches, fans and our university. Thanks for making my dreams come true. Wearing Iowa across my chest the last four years has been an honor. This place will always be home to me!”

I also remember the words of former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who you may remember in his last game ever lost in the Final Four to arch rival North Carolina in a very close game. He said, “I’ll be fine. I’ve been blessed you be in the arena. And when you are in the arena, you are either going to come out feeling great or you’re going to feel agony, but you always feel great about being in the arena. And I’m sure that that’s the thing when I look back that I will miss. I won’t be in the arena anymore but damn, I was in the arena for a long time. These kids made my last time in the arena an amazing one.” I’m sure he was thinking of his players at the time-how thankful he was for them as well as knowing they were probably especially upset about wanting to win him a championship in his final season. Having an attitude of gratitude is a great perspective when facing the end of a season, career, or even the loss of something else we are used to having in our lives.

As someone who has been through this type of loss, gratitude in this moment means recognizing the growth, the relationships, and the unforgettable experiences that sports have given you. It’s about shifting your perspective from what was lost to what was gained—from the heartbreak of an ending to the appreciation of the journey.

An attitude of gratitude transforms the way athletes perform, lead, and grow—and the same is true in everyday life. It shifts our focus from frustration and disappointment to appreciation, from setbacks to learning moments, and from entitlement to humility.

No matter where you are in your journey, I hope you will take a moment today at the start of your week to reflect on what you’re grateful for, despite any “losses” you may have experienced recently. Whether it’s your teammates, coaches, family, or even the challenges that have shaped you—embracing gratitude can be a game-changer that creates a better future and a way to overcome any losses we experience. Have a great week!

Coach K