The Left-Handed Lay Up
Written by: Brian Wood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As an accomplished, decorated, and talented 13-year-old basketball player (not true) spending time to refine my game in preparation for freshman team tryouts was a big deal!
But there was a disturbing rumor circulating throughout the community. Turns out our new coach was going to ask us to shoot left-handed layups. Wait – I’m right-handed. Is that demand even legal?
I realize this might sound odd to many of you as we currently live in a world where it seems like everyone is expected to decide their sport of choice by the age of five. And at that point the routine, strategic practicing and specific drills begin. But this was back in the 70’s.
So, despite the objections from my legal team (again, not true) it was horrifically clear that learning how to use my left hand more effectively on the court was inevitable.
Our coach was both disgusted by our performance while secretly enjoying the humbling emotional pain we experienced during the initial left-handed layup drills. Upon further review, coach had it figured out for the purpose of basketball, leadership, and life.
“What got you here won’t get you there” ‒ Marshall Goldsmith
We can create our own version of the left-handed layup for growth by reinventing how we process doubt and how we respond to victim thinking.
Saboteurs - Listening to the negative voices, the gremlins, the doubts that frequently show up. Although doubt lives within each of us, the way we process this inner negativity can make or break our success. For some reason most people have a subconscious tendency to run away from success when achievement seems eminent. One strategy is to recognize the specific tendency that we each use to escape success and sabotage ourselves. Now it becomes a matter of interrupting that pattern and putting in the reps. The only way to get more comfortable shooting a left-handed layup is to put in the deliberate practice – even when we’re tempted to use that right hand.
Paraphrasing a poem from Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”
Victim thinking – The feeling of hopelessness. “I will never be able to shoot a left-handed layup.” That is a completely differently mindset compared to a problem-solving approach, showing up with imagination and thinking with an inquisitive strategy. How can I get better? What can I do differently? What does the solution look like?
There is something you can do about the challenge in front of you. Identifying the next best move is about recognizing victim thinking and confronting this mindset by exploring possibilities and imagining what can be done. There is a solution – find it! Another option is to succumb to destructive thinking.
“Whether You Think You Can or Think You Can’t…You’re Right.” ‒ Henry Ford
This is not to suggest that we will never head down the path of victim thinking, but it is a reminder of the urgency to not stay in that space.
Whether it’s left-handed layups other athletic endeavors, leadership, business or life, uncomfortable opportunities are typically growth opportunities. Convincing ourselves that staying in a zone of comfort is a good idea is a lie that doesn’t serve us. This is an illusion that prevents us from reaching our potential and sabotages our ability to drive positive change personally, professionally and at an organizational level.
Lean into the discomfort and change the narrative to remind yourself that each challenging situation you’re navigating through can contribute to your best future version of yourself.
Brian Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Brian Wood combines 30 years of corporate experience with his background as an athlete, certified player agent (NBA, WNBA, and FIBA), and a certified professional success coach to provide clients with a unique perspective and guidance toward the next level of achievement. Wood is passionate about continuous personal and professional growth including organizational development, training, and gamification. He is enthusiastic about helping leaders leverage their gifts to drive impact and success. Wood supports major corporations, professional sports organizations, and municipalities. He provides confidential, professional, and executive coaching, speaking engagements, virtual and in-person facilitation.
