Yesterday was the start of the season for my middle school football team.

It's a stark reminder that every team at this level lifts weights. Every team does conditioning. Every team drills fundamentals and shows up to camp in July sweating through the summer heat.

So if every team does similar things, why do only a few of them win?

It's not what they do. It's the standard they do it at.

A standard, by definition, is what good looks like. So good leaders define what good looks like. Great leaders define what great looks like.

Now, it's not my job to define the standards you uphold for yourself, your family, or your team. But there is an excellent way for you to find out what they are. After you, or someone you're responsible for, does anything, ask yourself one simple question.

"Is that a 5 out of 5?"

Part of my job as a football coach is to define, uphold, and raise the standards for my team. But I'm not alone in that job. It's yours too in whatever situation you find yourself leading in.

This is your reminder to get in the habit of asking that question, of yourself and of the people you lead. "Is that a 5 out of 5?"

P.S. The Optimistic Outlook is a Podcast! Leaving a rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts would mean a lot.