I Think I See The Problem

During the French revolution a lawyer, a doctor,
and an engineer were all sentenced to die. The
lawyer was first on to the platform. He stood tall
and proud, uncompromising in his principles.

'Blindfold or no blindfold?' asked the executioner.

The attorney, not wanting to be seen as fearful or
cowardly in the face of death, held his head high
and answered, 'No blindfold.'

'Head up or head down?' continued the executioner.

Still there would be no compromise. 'Head up,'
said the attorney proudly.

The executioner swung his axe, cleanly severing
the rope that held the razor-sharp blade at the
top of the scaffold. The blade dropped swiftly but
stopped just half and inch above the attorney's
neck.

'I am sorry,' said the executioner. 'I checked it
just this morning, like I always do. This should
not have happened.'

The lawyer seized on the opportunity though.
'If you check the Manual For Execution By
Guillotine, you will find there is a clause that
states if the guillotine malfunctions the
condemned is permitted to walk free.'

The executioner checked his manual, found the
lawyer to be correct, and set him free.

The doctor was next. 'Blindfold or no blindfold?'
asked the executioner.

'No blindfold,'

'Head up or head down?' asked the executioner.

'Head up,' said the doctor standing tall and defiant.

The executioner swung his axe, cutting the rope
cleanly. Once again the blade stopped just half an
inch above the doctor's neck.

'I can't believe this,' exclaimed the executioner.
'Twice in a row! I checked it out thoroughly this
morning, but rules are rules and I must abide by
them. Like the lawyer, your life has been spared
and you may go.'

The engineer was the third to mount the stand.
By this time, the embarrassed executioner had
double- checked the guillotine and everything
looked operational.

'Blindfold or no blindfold?' he asked the engineer.

'No blindfold,' came the reply.

'Head up or head down?'

'Head up,' said the engineer.

For the third time , the executioner swung his
axe to slash the rope that supported the blade.
Just as he was about to bring the blow forward
and sever the line, the engineer called out,

'Stop! I see were the problem is.'


Not the right time to be a perfectionist, was it?

Perfectionists want to be achievers but won't
allow themselves any mistakes or any grey
areas. They are on red alert for flaws and
weaknesses. Being plagued by self-doubt they
believe they will be rejected if they are not
perfect. Because of that they often become
paralyzed and unable to produce or perform
at all.

Perfectionism always costs more than it yields.

What you want to be is an achiever. Achievers
aim for excellence, but they understand mistakes
and even failures are an important part of the
learning process. Also they have learned to
appreciate and love that process, not just the
results. They have drive, but they are not
driven.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Some people call Coach Hal Wissel a shot
doctor, but he doesn't like the moniker. "That
implies the player's shot is sick", he says. "It's
not; I'm more positive than that". One of the
players he coaches with the Memphis Grizzlies
likes to call him a "shot nutritionist".

Hal is a gentleman's gentleman who doesn't
believe in stepping on fragile egos or
embarrassing his students. He just believes
in you shooting the basketball the most
efficient, accurate way possible.

He's no perfectionist, but he can help you be a
high-achiever on the the basketball court. See
how today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Make Every Shot Count