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Playoff Mindset
Skip Flanagan
April 29, 2025
THE PLAYOFFS
Things are different…Welcome to the the playoffs. I’ve been working with a team and now they’re headed to the playoffs today. I figured I’d write some concepts that can be applied to everyone. The only one truth that I can share with you about the playoffs… Nothing is guaranteed. Past wins don’t carry over. Past losses don’t drag behind. The scoreboard is wiped clean. |  |
The Playoffs
We are 0-0. It’s ‘Opening Day’ all over again.
TBT to Dartmouth Relays, running with the 4×200 boys, and learned some lessons I’ve continued to apply to my life everyday.
Every day, every game, every moment from here on out is Opening Day.
It’s a fresh opportunity to prove who we are- not who we were yesterday, not who people expect us to be, but who we decide to be today.
Playoffs aren’t about being perfect. They’re about being consistent under pressure. Playoffs are about embracing the fact that nothing’s owed, nothing’s guaranteed, and success must be earned one pitch, one possession, one shift, one play at a time.
We haven’t proven anything yet.
The Playoffs
Advice going into the playoffs…
 Humble. Hungry.Nobody cares what you’ve done. They care about what you’re about to do. |  Reset Daily.Win the play, win the moment, and win the day. Then do it again. |
 Be where your feet are.Focus fully on the task in front of you- not the trophy, not the last game, not the next game. |  Respond…don’t react.Pressure exposes people who chase outcomes. Champions focus on approach, execution, and trust. |
Carry yourself like it’s Game 1 EVERYDAY. Because it is. And it will always be.
Champions think like this: I haven’t arrived. I’m just getting started.
0-0.
Opening day.
Let’s prove it.