Basketball coach Geno Auriemma tells Evan Carmichael how changing game rules mid-practice forces teams to adapt and builds champions. Carmichael applies this to entrepreneurs who trap themselves in rigid schedules and self-imposed limits, arguing you can rewrite your own business rules to reclaim time for family and growth.
Good morning, Believe Nation! Today's message is: Change the rules. Over to you, Gino Auriemma.
You might have 5 players on offense and we'll have 4 players on defense. So we're trying to guard your 5 with our 4, which is really hard.
Get it! Good! Let's go, let's go!
Then once they get the hang of that, we'll put another player on your team. Now you have 6 and we have 4. Now that's really hard. And with the great teams that I've had, we'll give you 8 and we'll have 5. That's really, really hard. So whenever they get comfortable with being able to do something, we just change the equation up a little bit and make it really, really hard. Some players— Coach, like, they got 7 guys, we only got 5. What do you expect? Well, you know what? Those guys are never going to be any good. And then the great teams that I've had, they have 7 and we have 5 and we beat them. And they go, Coach, really? That's the best you can do? Only 7? You better put another one out there. They're the ones that are gonna be great. So we're always looking to do things like that, change the score, change the rules as we go along. And they, they don't like it. 'Cause as soon as they get close, I change the rules. You know, you put the carrot and the minute they get close, I move it. And they get close, I move it again. And then some just goes, forget it, I'm not going anymore. And then the other ones, they get like real close to the carrot, real close. And then they put your hand on your throat, choke you and take the carrot. And they're the ones that are going to be champions.
I think this message applies especially to entrepreneurs because we get to set our own rules. That's why we're not working for the man. That's why we quit working at that company, because we wanted to create our own set of rules and live our own life. One of the challenges, though, I find for a lot of entrepreneurs is we quickly then create our own schedule. We quickly then create a box that we live in, and the more we get into business, the more we box ourselves in instead of continually being able to break free and explore the things that make us come alive. So if you ever find yourself asking yourself, why don't I have more time to go on vacation? Why don't I have more time to spend time with my family? Why am I not spending more time doing media or talking to customers? Why am I not spending more time going to trade shows or conferences? Remember, you created a business that created that schedule for you. And if you want to go out and change it, you can. It's inside your control. It's your company. Break the rules. So my question of the day for you guys today is, how are you breaking the rules? Leave it in the comments below. I'm going to join in the discussion. Thank you guys so much for watching. Have an amazing day. Continue to believe, and I'll see you again tomorrow morning for another shot of espresso.
