Life Lessons from Hoops Camp - Stay Active

I grew up playing sports.

Baseball, football, tennis, and especially basketball. When I was 6, I thought I'd be the next Larry Bird. I even had a pet parakeet named Larry.

I spent countless summer hours during high school on local playgrounds throughout Milwaukee, trying to get better. I was OK, but never quite lived up to my dreams of being Larry Legend.

But I was fortunate to attend several summer basketball camps, including twice at the Indiana University camp featuring Coach Bobby Knight. He would come and make an appearance, but left much of the coaching to his coaches and players.

It was a tremendous experience at age 15 and 16 to play against other kids from across the country, learn about the game, and grow, both as a player and a person.

Looking back, one lesson that still stands out to me today from these camps is the importance of being active.

In basketball terms, being active meant keeping your hands up on defense, knowing where the ball was, hands extended up-the-line, on-the-line.

It meant being a relentless rebounder, both offensively and defensively.

And on the offensive end, it meant never just standing. Movement is critical to any great player and team. Just watch Steph Curry.

When my hoops dreamed ended and I started working, I never realized it, but many of these same lessons about being active apply to both work and life.

Whether you're just starting a career or nearing retirement, being active is a concept worth pondering.

Be active in trying to learn something every day. Take on new projects that make you stretch. Be curious and explore new ways to do things you've always done.

Be active in not just producing results, but blowing away expectations. Be active in how you think about results. Don't settle for "how we've always reported."

Be active outside of work too. Stay active with your family. Put down the phone or iPad. Read with your kids. Go for an evening walk or bike ride.

Finally, be active in your community. We only get one chance in this life, so seize your moments to get involved.

Sure, it can be hard to always be active.We all get tired. We all need a timeout or time on the bench. Sometimes it's just not your night and your shot is off. Or you're in a slump.

But as any coach will tell you, no matter how poor you're playing, one thing can show up every game - effort. Effort is what fuels a "being active mentality."

Be active, my friends. It worth it every time.