Amy Barg has a way of distilling powerful life lessons from everyday experiences, and her recent reflection on March Madness is no exception. Basketball, like life, is a game of preparation, perseverance, and execution. In her post, Amy Barg uncovers two crucial lessons that go beyond the court and into our personal and professional lives.
Amy Barg highlights the incredible dedication of Division 1 college basketball players. These athletes play an average of 35-40 games in a season and commit nearly 40 hours per week to practice. That’s the equivalent of a full-time job, all for the chance to step onto the court and take their shot. And yet, despite their relentless effort, they don’t always make the basket. The parallels to life are undeniable. We prepare, we train, and yet, sometimes, we miss. The important takeaway, as Amy Barg reminds us, is that practice matters.
Lesson #1: Practice Matters
Amy Barg draws attention to a critical concept: the performance gap. This is the space between what we know we should do and what we actually do. We all have knowledge how to improve, why we should take action, what will happen if we put in the effort but too often, we hesitate. Fear holds us back, whether it’s fear of failure, fear of success, or fear of the unknown.
As Amy Barg points out, the reality is simple: we miss 100% of the shots we don’t take. Quoting Wayne Gretzky, she emphasizes that the only person who can take those shots for us is ourselves. We must be willing to step up and practice, whether it’s making a difficult decision, developing a skill, or pushing past our comfort zones. Progress is only possible through consistent effort and action.
But practicing isn’t always glamorous. As Amy Barg notes, practice can be dull, repetitive, and sometimes feel like it’s not making a difference. However, the most significant breakthroughs often come from persistent, unspectacular preparation. This insight aligns perfectly with John C. Maxwell’s words: “Spectacular performance is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.”
Lesson #2: Practice Creates Wins
Amy Barg brilliantly connects the idea of free throws to life’s defining moments. Free throws are uncontested shots the player stands alone, with no interference. And yet, these seemingly easy shots often determine the outcome of a game. The same is true in life. There are moments where we have a clear opportunity, free from distractions or obstacles, but we hesitate.
As Amy Barg observes, it’s easy to criticize players who miss free throws in critical moments. We tell ourselves they should have practiced more. But do we apply that same standard to our own lives? When we shrink back from opportunities, delay action, or allow hesitation to control us, we lose our own personal games. The key is preparation practicing taking the shot before it counts the most.
Amy Barg encourages us to reflect on what we’ve been avoiding. What’s the thing we know we should do but keep postponing? Whether it’s starting a project, making a career move, or initiating an important conversation, our success depends on our willingness to take action. We either control our practice, or our lack of practice controls us.
The Real-World Application
Amy Barg’s insights aren’t just about sports they apply to all aspects of life. Consider a musician practicing scales, an entrepreneur refining a pitch, or a speaker preparing for a presentation. Just like an athlete shooting thousands of free throws, professionals in every field must practice consistently to improve and ultimately succeed.
Amy Barg reminds us that excellence isn’t accidental. It’s built through discipline and persistence. The willingness to practice, even when progress feels slow or unnoticed, is what separates the successful from the stagnant. Every small action, every repetitive effort, adds up to create a stronger, more capable individual.
Amy Barg’s perspective challenges us to reframe how we view preparation. Instead of seeing it as a tedious necessity, we should embrace it as an opportunity to sharpen our skills and gain confidence. After all, when the moment arrives where we must take our shot whether in business, relationships, or personal growth our past practice will determine our performance.
Taking the Shot
The wisdom Amy Barg shares in her post serves as a call to action. If we want to achieve more, grow more, and become better versions of ourselves, we must step up and take the shot.
Amy Barg’s insights inspire us to:
Close the performance gap between what we know and what we do.
Recognize that practice isn’t always exciting, but it’s always essential.
Understand that the shots we take (or don’t take) define our outcomes.
Take control of our own practice and not let hesitation control us.
At the end of the day, Amy Barg’s message is simple yet profound: success comes from preparation, and preparation comes from practice. No one else can take the shots for us. The responsibility is ours.
Amy Barg’s reflections challenge us to stop waiting and start practicing, to push past fear and step into action. Because when the game is on the line whether in sports, business, or life it’s the people who have practiced consistently who make the winning shots.
The question Amy Barg leaves us with is powerful: What would it look like for you to take your shot today?
