Lesson 8: Part 2, The Secret Sauce that led to Championship Goal Achievement, Decade After Decade (Copy)

UNC Women’s Soccer had a system in which everyone set goals and followed behaviors that increased their odds of success.

Establishing and internalizing strong values and goals is the foundation for building a life of excellence. Think of it as constructing the ground floor of your masterpiece—if your values and goals are weak, all your efforts are wasted. It’s not enough to simply write them down, they must become the principles that guide every decision and action you take. At UNC, values like “We don’t whine” and “The truly extraordinary do something every day” weren’t just slogans—they were the bedrock of our culture, reinforced with motivational quotes to bring them to life. For example, George Bernard Shaw’s quote about being a force of fortune was tied to “We don’t whine,” while Steven Covey’s wisdom on priorities supported “The truly extraordinary do something every day.”

To make your values powerful, you must internalize them. This means committing to live them daily, holding yourself accountable, and regularly evaluating your alignment with them. At UNC, we used peer-to-peer evaluations and personal interviews to ensure everyone stayed committed. For personal accountability, schedule regular self-evaluations—daily or weekly—and reflect on questions like: Did I commit fully to my goals? Were my actions consistent with my values? Did I strengthen relationships and stay resilient?

Additionally, review your goals every morning, create a daily to-do list, and reflect on your progress each evening. This continuous process of reflection, adaptation, and growth is how champions are made. Commit to these practices with passion, and you’ll not only achieve your goals but build a legacy of greatness. This isn’t just about success—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. Embrace the journey, and watch it transform your life.