The Beauty in Boundaries
The limits we resist are often the ones that set us free. Structure, discipline, and accountability don’t restrict growth - they create it.
The Parable of the Pencil Maker
The following comes from Kevin Elko's book “Touchdown”:
There is a parable told about a pencil maker who took each pencil aside just before putting it “finished” into a box.
He would tell the pencil, “There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world to be the best you can be. First, you will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to work with others. Second, you will need to experience some sharpening from time to time, but it will make you better. Third, you can correct a mistake by changing it. Fourth, the most important part of you will always be what’s inside. Last, on every surface you cover, you must leave your mark.”
The pencil understood, promised to remember, and went into the box.
Last week’s results:
The obsession with “greatness” has done more harm than good?
⇨ Yes, absolutely: 53%
⇨ It’s complicated: 40%
⇨ No, drives growth: 7%
🔗 Free Lyncs
Playbook / Resource File - A stacked collection of football PDFs.
One Way Hoops - Books and culture resources to build leadership.
Calisthenics Playbook - A full bodyweight training guide for athletes.
📚 New & Notable Books
Every Day Is Sunday - How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell turned the NFL into a cultural and economic powerhouse.
Away Game - A sharp look at youth sports and the culture of competition.
The Freshman - A powerful story about purpose, growth, and what it really means to start something new.
🌐 Around the Web
Curt Cignetti Dreamed Bigger - Indiana Football Is Living It - Fox Sports
Ranking Every NBA Team’s No. 1 Option in 2025-26 - Yahoo Sports
James Franklin’s Penn State Ousting - Proves Schools Fear Losing Games More Than Losing Money - NBC Sports
Before you go ...
Did You Know?
The word “coach” originally meant “a carriage.” Its job? To get someone to where they want to be.