The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Power of positive thinking
07.10.2009 | Football
July 10, 2009
No matter who you are, new techniques and reinforcement to thinking positively will always be helpful for both daily life and long-term goals.
As the Longhorns continue through their hot summer workouts to get ready for the 2009 season, those things were provided to them by the UT staff, who brought in author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon to provide insight.
"I wanted to drive home the concept of teamwork, being your best and working as hard as you have to and paying the price that greatness requires," Gordon said. "You win in the locker room first, then you win on the field. I think that's so important to create that championship-caliber team."
Gordon has spoken to both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons in the past two years, and although he does not take credit for it, each has exceeded expectations in the seasons that followed his visits.
Although this was the first time Gordon had spoken to a college program, his messages stayed true, including challenging the team to focus on what kind of legacy they want to leave at Texas.
"You have to constantly stay on top of your game and on top of your life," senior QB Colt McCoy said. "As a senior and speaking for all the seniors, we want to be the best we can be. What are we doing each day to do that?
"We're examples for guys who are stepping up trying to play and fill positions. (Jon Gordon) didn't tell us anything we didn't know. He came in, reinforced it and said some things that will help us focus on those things and get on the right track."
Players like McCoy and junior DE Sam Acho will now take Gordon's message and work to maintain with their teammates throughout the workouts, practice and the season.
"He talked about not being a negative person, or an `energy vampire' as he says," Acho said. "I've seen that in a lot of different organizations I've been a part of. There are those people who bring the whole team down. I think with all of us here hearing him talk, it's a great way to avoid that here and be a better team."
Along with having previously spoken to the staff of the Austin American-Statesman and several corporations, Gordon has been featured on CNN and NBC's Today Show, and in Forbes, Fast Company, O Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
"The guys are just great guys," Gordon said of the Longhorns. "They really are. They were very responsive, especially for young guys in college. It was great just to spend time with them. They're an amazing group of people. There's something about their character. There's just something about Texas. They're just great."
