Compete.

For the record, it was "misty eyes" not "tears." Don't believe their version.

My 6th Grade squad got me pretty good yesterday. We have a tradition for each game where my girls meet privately before the game and agree on a word of significance to break their "All In/All Out!" pregame huddle. Previous words have been "Warriors" "Team" "Together" and "Destroy" (not sure what got into them that day, lol) I had no idea they'd break our final huddle of the season to the word "Compete." They were so so so tickled they succeeded in their goal of "making coach cry" (again, "misty"... "MISTY!")

Here's the backstory. I've been blessed to coach many of my girls for 7 or 8 seasons now. I've worked out with them in the off-season. I've been on the bench (or frenetically pacing in front of it) for nearly 100 games. In the gym for 100's of practices. They are much more like "family" than "players" in our house. We know each other well. And they know very well my #1 favorite word is "COMPETE!"

Earlier this week, as I knew my time with them as a team was drawing to a close, I sat them down to tell them WHY that word meant so much to me; why I am always yelling it and EMPLORING them to COMPETE.

There are times in a game when we need to dig deep to get a big stop. There are times in a game when a teammate is struggling and we need to pick them up. There are times in practice when we don't "feel like" giving our best; we are tired, distracted, upset. There are some games when we are flat out getting BEAT by a better team and we have two choices; fold up and quit, or fight through it and COMPETE to be the absolute best versions of ourselves, regardless of the fatigue, our emotions, the score or outcome.

COMPETE simply means giving every single ounce of yourself with enthusiasm and fearlessness.

I explained that the reason I demand THEY demand that from themselves is not really about basketball. More importantly, someday, you might be a sitting down and taking a test that feels overwhelming or daunting. You'll might feel a voice whispering "you aren't smart enough to pass" or "you'll never get the score you need..." COMPETE.

There will be a day when you are deciding where to apply for college, and you'll have a place you've always dreamed of attending, but you hesitate to apply because you worry you might not get accepted... COMPETE.

You'll be in the hall at school or at a party, and you'll see friends or classmates making a bad decision you don't want to make, and you might be afraid to stand up for yourself and follow your own beliefs... COMPETE.

Maybe someday there will be a boy who doesn't quite treat you the way you want to be treated; the way you DESERVE. And there might be a nagging voice that tells you to stick it out, tolerate it, accept it - "at least someone likes me..." COMPETE.

I pray that someday, at some moment, when you need it the most, maybe, just maybe, you'll hear COMPETE somewhere in the back of your mind, and you'll remember just how valuable and amazing you are. You'll dig deep and remember how truly fearless and excellent you are. You'll COMPETE and live the victorious life you were created by God to enjoy.

My devious crew had a backup plan, just in case they DIDN'T make me cry with their honorary cheer, giving me a few incredibly sweet and thoughtful personal gifts. But the real "gift" was the season together; the years together, and getting to be a small part of the BIG thing that is their lives.

For that, I simply say a sincere "thank you." I'm thrilled they got to end the year with a clutch W. I know they have many, many more; both on the court and off, in store over the next few years. I promise I'll be watching them COMPETE with a proud smile the entire way.

***

Chris Scheeren is the founder of Empowering Voices and has been blessed to reach more than a half a million people across the globe. ?He frequently speaks for powerhouse organizations all around the world including Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, universities and the United States Army War College.

When Chris isn’t on stage all around the world, he helps his amazing wife run Blue Barn Berry Farm & Event Venue , and he can frequently be found yelling “COMPETE!!” at levels beyond audible to his favorite people in the world, the fantastic Wawasee Girls 6th Grade basketball team..? For more info about Chris & Empowering Voices KEYNOTES & PROGRAMS, visit here.