Review Day: The Power of Consistency

Our first review day brings up some exciting games from the previous week in college football. As the BCS championship games draw near, teams are angling/marketing themselves for viable spots in those big games. Texas Tech had another impressive victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Graham Harrell made a further statement about his Heisman trophy candidacy. He completed 40 of his 50 passes in the Texas Tech victory. His consistency is what has made his Texas Tech offense so explosive, not to mention the best receiver in the nation in Michael Crabtree.

At the expense of sounding like I am worshiping Graham Harrell, I simply want to point out the high energy and explosiveness of their offense. I believe that this explosiveness and power is due to the consistency that they have shown throughout the season and, I am confident, that they have displayed in practice.

Football is a game of consistency and playing only one game a week makes consistency in practice throughout the week extremely important. In your life, there are many 'games' that you have. Presentations at work, tests or papers in school, family gatherings or major life events, and what will prepare you the most is consistency in your everyday life as you prepare for those events.

In a college football practice, each team during the day goes through what can be called, "EDDs". These, 'every day drills' are designed to maintain consistency in skills and sustain basic important aspects of football that are important to have for every game. For quarterbacks, every day drills consist of: taking snaps from the center, dropping back and moving in the pocket and throwing basic routes to receivers. They are one of the first things done in every practice and the foundations on which the practice is built upon. These are important skills that every game relies on, and if these aspects of the game are not solid and well-rehearsed, when the pressures and intricacies of a football game occur, mistakes are made in these basic areas and the results are turnovers and missed opportunities.

Because Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree, and hundreds of other college quarterbacks and receivers practice these drills each day, they have an opportunity to be successful. The teams that are consistent and focus on these basic skills have a better chance of doing well on Saturdays.

What are the 'every day drills' in your life or business. Perhaps it is spending a few minutes every day talking and communicating with your spouse, or preparing a speech for a few minutes each day the week before you are supposed to give the presentation? Preparation and consistency are pivotal and crucial in helping you and your team be successful. Identify your every day drills and focus on perfecting them in your life.