11/15/2024-On This Day: Mike Krzyzewski

To help create steadiness to your reactions, channel your emotion by using trigger words and phrases you can view throughout the day. "Flip out like a lunatic" should not be on your list.

On this day in 2011, Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski recorded his 903rd career win, surpassing Bob Knight to become the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men’s history.

So why is this important to you, slam-dunkin’ sales star?

While you’ve won a lot of sales, Mike has won many, many basketball games…and that means you should pay attention when he opens his mouth.

Mike has much to teach, and today’s focus is on emotion management…a key trait for all high performers. (Read today’s quote again!)

So focused was Krzyzewski on emotion management as a driver for stellar performance that he once reviewed game tape with his players featuring only their faces and body language. (This occurred the day after a 22-point win.)

Today, focus on controlling your emotions by reflecting on how you react and present yourself in various situations.

If it helps, study your teammates and note their reactions; what can you learn from them?

You’ve been on this planet long enough to know what good and bad behavior looks like, so the key to maintaining a measured disposition is to look in the mirror. Watching others helps, too; modeling good behaviors works brilliantly.

If it helps, imagine Coach K is recording your every move. What does the video say about how you react and handle your emotions?

Writing down words and phrases that you can glance at throughout the day might be easier to remind you that this too will pass, and everything will be okay.

What about trigger words? "Chill" is pretty popular (so too is "Chillax"). Either way, your trigger phrase should not be something like… "Fly off the handle whenever possible."

Intensity and energy are important to bring to your sales day, but only if channeled correctly.

Do whatever you can to stay even-keeled and handle pressure and frustration…there’s no value in allowing your emotions to push you off your line.

It takes a lot of discipline to stay even-keeled when your hair is on fire with stress and pressure.

But the more you work at maintaining a steady equilibrium, the easier it gets. (And the more it pays dividends.)

Watch this clip of Coach K where he stresses the importance of blocking out distractions.

Go ahead if you feel like dancing when it’s time to celebrate. More importantly, work on your reactions and displays when you get slapped in the face with gusts and sideways rain.