“It’s always the approach I’ve taken. Do everything you need to do during these eight months to be as good as you can be, even when you don’t feel like doing it. That’s something I tell a lot of the young players, even back (to my days) in Oakland: ‘Do the things you don’t feel like doing, because it will pay off.’”
— Marcus Semien

In his first full year in the big leagues, Marcus Semien made a whopping 35 errors at shortstop.

Thanks to a tremendous work ethic, as well as the help of legendary infield instructor Ron Washington, Semien is now an outstanding defender and he has won a Gold Glove for his effort.

To get better, Semien went through intense defensive drills before every game with Washington — whether he felt like it or not. It made an impression on his younger teammates like Bo Bichette.

“Huge impact,” Bichette said. “Just the professional that he is. I’ve taken a lot from what I’ve seen from him into my game. Preparation, work ethic, getting out there for every single game no matter what — I take a lot of that into my game.”

Too often during our day we ask ourselves what we feel like doing. A better question is, “what am I committed to doing?”

It takes consistent daily practice to reach your goals as a spouse, parent, employee, boss, friend, etc. If you rely on “feeling like” doing things, you will end up being very inconsistent because your feelings will come and go throughout a day.

Today, instead of asking yourself what you feel like doing, ask yourself, “What am I committed to doing?”

Win Your Day!
Steve Gilbert

Contact MLB.com writer Steve Gilbert at winyourday@gmail.com to sign up for his daily inspirational emails.