Speak Truth that Matters

We sucked.

The truth of the matter is—we couldn’t stop people from scoring.

We couldn’t successfully make passes.

We couldn’t dribble the ball confidently with our dominant hand.

We were terrible.

But here’s the question:

Even though that’s true—is it helpful?

If you’re new, this is a series of lessons I learned from coaching boys’ high school basketball. You can check out that here.

Is it helpful to sit around and think about how bad we are?

To talk about how bad we are?

I remember one game we played—the team was beating us so bad, I believe the score was something close to 20-70.

The only thing going through our minds?

We suck.

I remember one player looking like the world was over.

Head down.

Too ashamed to look up.

Later, I found out one of the players was going around talking about how much the team sucked at basketball. Taking the thoughts we were thinking and speaking it out loud.

This floored me.

But was he lying?

Not really.

I’ve heard it said that our words have the power to create our lives. Whatever we speak, we bring into existence.

But the truth is—our words work more like a compass, guiding the direction of our lives.

Whatever we talk about, our hearts will be drawn to—and our bodies will respond with.

Pay attention to your words, it will show you where you're going.

But does that mean we lie?

No.

The goal isn’t to lie—it’s to tell the whole truth.

What Is the Whole Truth?

Truth says we’re bad.

The whole truth says we’re getting better.

Truth says we’re new to basketball.

The whole truth says we’re learning fast.

Truth says we practice twice a week—on a good week.

The whole truth says it takes time to improve.

Truth says we have a long way to go.

The whole truth says we’ve already come a long way.

The whole truth says practice makes progress.

The whole truth says every person who has ever experienced high levels of success went through seasons of doubt.

The whole truth says failure is the perfect school for greatness.

There is a whole truth we must tell ourselves.

And I would even go as far as to say—it’s not just the whole truth. It’s the helpful truth.

Is the Truth You Speak Helpful?

Or harmful?

As soon as we started speaking helpful truths, things began to turn around.

People who once played with their heads down—began playing with their heads up.

What About You?

What truth are you telling yourself?

Is it harmful?

Stop.

And start telling yourself the whole truth.

Start speaking HELPFUL truths.

And watch the compass of your life take you to heights you’ve only dreamed of.

So let me ask you:

That challenge you’re facing—what’s a helpful truth?

Start speaking it.

Over and over.

Until your compass shifts.