The ancient philosopher Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe once taught, “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being.”

My friend talks highly of a basketball coach that knew this principle.

One day this coach was running a practice and set a standard for each player on the team to hit 8 out of 10 free-throws. If even one of them missed, the whole team had to run laps around the gym. All of the players accomplished this except one. The one that missed made the team run a few times before saying, “Coach, I can’t make them! I’m tired and it’s not fair to the rest of the team.”

The coach called the player over and they talked for a minute or so. Instead of giving negative criticism, the coach built the player up. He talked about how he knew that she could make the free-throws and that the rest of the team thought the same. He reminded her that she had made some amazing shots in the past and that she had been and still was a major asset to the team.

She walked up to the line and made 10 out of 10.

How she viewed herself changed because of how the coach viewed her. He treated her like a star and she became one.

Today, go help people achieve greatness by believing in them and treating them like they can and will achieve greatness. Build them up. Point out their strengths. Be positive. Don’t tear them down, as tearing them down is assisting their failure. You are amazing, have a fantastic day!

Life’s Golden Rule
Editorial Staff