We are in trying times…
People are scared, kids are confused, and for 100% of us, our plans have come to an abrupt halt.
This is adversity in its purest form and the question that I have asked all my athletes is this:
Now that everything has been stopped are you still willing to fight for the things you said you wanted?
This is simply a question of how will you respond when things don’t go your way. What is your character, your resolve, your grit, and your perseverance like? Will you sit at home every day and allow this to stop your progress or will you be one of the few that walks out of this process better?
I know this, its 5:13 AM as I type this and when this social distancing is over I am coming back a better coach, leader, father, and husband. I am not giving myself a choice in the matter. I am going to get up every day and maximize the time that I have in this unique situation.
My young athletes are about to face a real challenge with learning from home. Not to mention, they all want to continue to get batter as athletes as well.
Here’s the thing, and this is just being completely honest, most kids are going to really struggle with learning from home. Procrastination, lack of a schedule, and limited structure are real limiting factors for 12-18-year-old kids.
The key is going to be getting out in front of this and build a structure that forces them to get their work done and stay on track with their training.
So, for all my athletes I challenge you to follow this schedule:
6:00AM: Wake up, drink 20oz of water, and perform 10 minutes of stretching or foam rolling (starting Monday 3/23 there will be a daily 10 minute stretch on TeamBuildr)
6:30-7:00: Eat a big breakfast and another 20os of water.
7:00-7:30: Read or listen to something that makes you better. Pick a topic you are interested in and read for 30 minutes. This can be an article, book, YouTube video, or listening to a podcast.
7:30-8:00: Get dressed and prep space you will use for your schoolwork. Actually getting dressed like you are going to school is a mindset shift that prepares you mentally for school. Don’t skip this step and allow yourself to study in your Spider-Man pajamas.
8:00-11:00: – Perform a 50:20:50 block of school work. This means do 50 minutes of dedicated school work then take a 20-minute break. After the 20 minute break, do another 50 minutes of dedicated work. During your 50 minute block of work leave your phone in the other room.
11:00-12:00: Lunch, another 20oz of water, and relax
12:00-1:00: Workout. Preferably outside and focused on sprint training and bodyweight strength (see TeamBuildr for your daily program). As a tip, review the workout before you head out to do it. This will help you get through it more smoothly.
1:00-1:30: Post-workout nutrition and 20oz of water
1:30-3:30: Perform your second 50:20:50 school block. Remember, phone in the other room and give yourself two good blocks of 50 minutes for dedicated work.
3:30-4:00: Snack and 20oz of water
4:00-5:00: Workout #2. Options – core circuit, Yoga, mobility, tempo sprints, go shoot hoops, walk outside, etc. The key is to find a way to move for another 60 minutes. Preferably outside.
5:00-6:00: Help around the house. Be an asset within the house, ask your parents how you can help them out. Wash the dishes, help cook dinner, take the trash out, do yard work, or fold laundry.
6:00-10:00: Free time. Have fun, play video games, talk to your friends, spend time with the family, etc.
10:00: Protein shake, phone off and in bed. Seriously, either put your phone in another room or turn it off.
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The hard thing with doing school work from home is the urge to put it off. But, if you set a schedule, and you absolutely refuse to allow yourself to get off it then everything gets done. If everything gets done then you will walk out of this situation as a more disciplined student, athlete, and young adult.
Are you willing to fight for what you said you wanted? Right now your character is being tested.
How will you respond?