How To Win at LIFE

Author

Justin Ryder
July 11, 2026

Hi,

This last year afforded me the opportunity to coach high school lacrosse. While I know a lot about lacrosse, I didn’t know much about coaching teenage boys. Knowing something and coaching are wildly different things. 

Throughout this first season, I found myself repeating certain sayings to the players. I knew I had to lock in on certain themes instead of just spraying dozens or random ones. So, in true Sean Ward fashion, I went to the coffee shop and thought about what I believe to be the most essential lessons to repeat. I whittled it down to these nine. 

Truthfully, if we go 0 – 20 next season but imprint these nine maxims on those young men, I will be exceedingly proud. 

This list applies to the Sales Life quite nicely.

Take it, chew on it, eat the meat, spit out the bones.

Enjoy.

  1. Details Matter. Great teams are built on small things done consistently. How you tape your stick, warm up, or finish a drill—it all matters.

  2. How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything.  The way you practice is the way you will show up on game day.

  3. Control the Controllables. You mostly can only control your attitude and effort. You can’t control the officials, weather, opponent, or playing time.

  4. Intensity Is Fun, Casual is Boring. Sprint. Compete. Celebrate. Don’t hold back. The players who love the game the most are the ones who play it with the greatest intensity.

  5. Leave It Better Than You Found It. Leadership is service. Pick up the extra ball. Help a teammate. Clean the sideline. Thank the bus driver. The best leaders make every place and every person better.

  6. Energy Is Contagious. Every player brings energy to the team. Are you bringing positive or negative energy? Body language matters. Enthusiasm matters. Encouragement matters.

  7. Win the Next Play. The last play doesn’t matter. Have a goldfish memory.

  8. Your Reputation Is Built Daily. People are always deciding whether they can count on you. Every practice, every workout, every interaction…adds to or subtracts from your reputation.

  9. Confidence Comes From Preparation. The most prepared player is the most confident.

—Sean