I really do not care if it was it Manute Bol or Rex Chapmen who was the first to say “My-Bad.” I just know it is a flippant apology that fails to benefit anyone. Instead of blurting out a dismissive, unconcerned apology get better. Mary Pickford said, “You may make mistakes, but you are not a failure until you start blaming someone else.”
I agree and when an athlete diverts failure uses “My-Bad” they are blaming someone else by blaming NO ONE. It’s as if they are saying, “It Happens, Get Over It!” “My-Bad” usually occurs when an athlete fails to do something, but to me the loss due to a player dismissing a mistake is much greater than the mistake they made during a game. No doubt mistakes happen and I certainly do not want athletes to punish themselves for making them. To me, failure is part of the learning process on the way to becoming a better player, which is why I want my athletes to recognize their mistakes. Apologizing to others for making a mistake in an athletic event is a missed opportunity to get better. Acknowledging your mistake to yourself is the first step towards reducing your weakness. Understand the hiccup, make changes, and then improve.
I recommend every athlete learn and apply powerful techniques like the “yes, but” theory described in “The Handbook for Success,” by Glenn Moore. Order it Today!
Until next Blog,
Al McCormick
