Play to a Standard

The Indiana Hoosiers football are college football’s national champions. The program was 3–9 two years ago. It can’t be replicated. It’s unique to its players and to head coach Curt Cignetti.

He gives us clues with a quote:

“We play to a standard, not the circumstances of the game. Even if you are up 52–7 in the fourth quarter, you don’t let up because you are playing to a standard. Habits first form habits, and habits then form you. You have the freedom of choice, but not freedom from consequence.”

You have a choice in how you respond to circumstances, positive or negative. Getting them to play to that standard was rooted in his relationships.

That’s mental fitness. Old school. New school. It’s the way they play.

They lost one fumble in 16 games. One. Big in pressure moments.

He follows an emotional standard for himself. Rarely smiles. Intense. Rarely out of control.

Mini grief loops show up when loss occurs. A messy process of protest, detachment, and despair. When things go well, a positive loop shows up. Confirmation, attachment, and euphoria. Just as emotionally challenging. An equally dangerous prediction process that impacts performance.

Want to transform those loops into something that elevates your performance? We can start that transformation with a keynote, training, or one on one coaching.