AFM Home | The Staff Report | Oct 2003

CAREER: 3 Rules for Success
Sponsored by Schutt Sports

Bert Williams
Head Coach, Georgia Military College
2002 Schutt Sports Junior College Coach of the Year

There are three simple rules for success that we use here at Georgia Military College:

1) Be Responsible: This simple rule incorporates practically everything our players need to know and abide by in their social, academic and athletic lives. The acceptance of responsibility for your actions, or lack of action, and also the actions of your teammates is the first and most important step to becoming a TEAM! Our student athletes must understand the impact their choices have on themselves, their team, their athletic program and their college or university. Embracing and exhibiting responsibility in ALL arenas of the student athlete’s life creates TRUST and CONFIDENCE in each other, which in turn allows the individual, the team and the school to truly enjoy success!

2) No Excuses: There is always a reason why you did not accomplish your “mission.” Utilizing that reason as a crutch to soften or explain the failure only breeds fertile ground for continued failure. You either accomplished or failed to accomplish your assignment – period. Understand and acknowledge why you did not accomplish your assignment, make the necessary adjustments to ensure success and continue in your efforts. If you concentrate too much on WHY you did not succeed instead of WHAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE to be successful, you will not achieve your goals.

3) No Complaining: Nobody likes to be around somebody who is always complaining or whining about their situation. You have made the choices to be where you are, to participate in what you are doing, and therefore you must accept the realities and obligations of that situation. Complaining about your situation does nothing but move hot air. If you do not like your situation, take the necessary steps to improve it in a positive, forward-looking manner. Complaining is nothing more than losing time and opportunity for improvement.

Editor’s Note: Bert Williams has guided GMC to a 28-4 overall record and a NJCAA national championship during the past three years.