I think that it was a great feeling and probably a little bit more special because of the length of time that had passed before we won, but I think more importantly, it was just a great feeling because this team had such strong leadership and they had great chemistry.

Pat Summitt

Categorized in : Thinking Strong Team

God doesn’t take things away to be cruel. He takes things away to make room for other things. He takes things away to lighten us. He takes things away so we can fly.

Pat Summitt

flying faith god

Accountability is essential to personal growth, as well as team growth. How can you improve if you're never wrong? If you don't admit a mistake and take responsibility for it, you're bound to make the same one again.

Pat Summitt

team basketball mistake

The absolute heart of loyalty is to value those people who tell you the truth, not just those people who tell you what you want to hear. In fact, you should value them most. Because they have paid you the compliment of leveling with you and assuming you can handle it.

Pat Summitt

loyalty truth inspirational

Here's how I'm going to beat you. I'm going to outwork you. That's it. That's all there is to it.

Pat Summitt

beats

Attitude lies somewhere between emotion and logic. It's that curious mix of optimism and determination that enables you to maintain a positive outlook and to continue plodding in the face of the most adverse circumstances.

Pat Summitt

basketball determination attitude

It is what it is. But, it will be what you make it.

Pat Summitt

it-is-what-it-is

I won 1,098 games, and eight national championships, and coached in four different decades. But what I see are not the numbers. I see their faces.

Pat Summitt

eight games numbers

You can't always be the most talented person in the room. But you can be the most competitive

Pat Summitt

nba basketball rooms

Attitude is a choice. Think positive thoughts daily. Believe in yourself.

Pat Summitt

basketball attitude believe

I remember every player-every single one-who wore the Tennessee orange, a shade that our rivals hate, a bold, aggravating color that you can usually find on a roadside crew, "or in a correctional institution," as my friend Wendy Larry jokes. But to us the color is a flag of pride, because it identifies us as Lady Vols and therefore as women of an unmistakable type. Fighters. I remember how many of them fought for a better life for themselves. I just met them halfway.

Pat Summitt

hate pride player

By doing things when you are too tired, by pushing yourself farther than you thought you could - like running the track after a two-hour practice - you become a competitor. Each time you go beyond your perceived limit, you become mentally stronger.

Pat Summitt

perseverance tired running

No one feels strong when she examines her own weakness. But in facing weakness, you learn how much there is in you, and you find real strength.

Pat Summitt

weakness strong real

There is always someone better than you. Whatever it is that you do for a living, chances are, you will run into a situation in which you are not as talented as the person next to you. That's when being a competitor can make a difference in your fortunes.

Pat Summitt

perseverance differences running

Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.

Pat Summitt

excellent-work average jobs

When you choose to be a competitor you choose to be a survivor. When you choose to compete, you make the conscious decision to find out what your real limits are, not just what you think they are.

Pat Summitt

decision real thinking

Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, rebounding wins championships.

Pat Summitt

basketball games winning

Admit to and make yourself accountable for mistakes. How can you improve if you're never wrong?

Pat Summitt

nba basketball mistake

Responsibility equals accountability equals ownership. And a sense of ownership is the most powerful weapon a team or organization can have.

Pat Summitt

team powerful responsibility

To me, teamwork is a lot like being part of a family. It comes with obligations, entanglements, headaches, and quarrels. But the rewards are worth the cost.

Pat Summitt

team-building cost teamwork

Teamwork is what makes common people capable of uncommon results.

Pat Summitt

teamwork common people