“Focus on your actions, your mindset, your intentions, your decisions. Lead yourself first.” – Kevin DeShazo
In the spring of 2012, I was introduced to Kevin DeShazo after hearing him speak about social media and its evolving impact on athletic departments. That initial exposure turned into a lasting professional influence. Later in my career, I had the opportunity to bring him in to speak to student-athletes and coaches at LeTourneau University—an experience that reinforced the clarity and practicality of his message.
Over time, his work—especially Keep Chopping Wood—has become a steady, quiet driver in how I approach my daily responsibilities. The quote above, in particular, has stayed with me. It’s simple, but it’s demanding. And as we begin May—Mental Health Awareness Month—it felt like the right time to reflect not only on professional growth, but also on personal accountability and mental health.
Because the truth is, those four elements—actions, mindset, intentions, and decisions—don’t just shape careers. They shape stability, resilience, and well-being.
Lead Yourself First: The Competitive Advantage No One Can Take
In sports communications, it’s easy to misdiagnose success. The industry often makes it seem like outcomes are driven by external variables—access, relationships, institutional resources, or market size.
But strip all of that away, and what actually determines long-term trajectory is far more controllable:
Your actions. Your mindset. Your intentions. Your decisions.
That’s not just philosophy—it’s operational reality.
Control What Compounds
Your day is built on micro-decisions:
How you respond to an email
How quickly (and accurately) you turn around a recap
How prepared you are for a postgame interview
How intentional your digital and social strategy is
Individually, these moments feel insignificant. Collectively, they define your reputation.
Consistency—especially when no one is watching—is what compounds into trust and credibility. If you’re waiting for a bigger role to raise your standard, you’re already behind. The professionals who separate themselves operate at the next level before they’re given it.
Your Mindset Sets the Ceiling
This profession will test your capacity—mentally and emotionally.
Long hours
Constant deadlines
Public visibility and scrutiny
Internal expectations
If your mindset is reactive, the job will always feel overwhelming. If it’s proactive, you create structure within the chaos.
A strong mindset doesn’t ignore difficulty—it reframes it:
A tough loss becomes a storytelling opportunity
A mistake becomes a systems improvement
A heavy workload becomes a chance to build efficiency
And from a mental health standpoint, that shift matters. Perspective is often the difference between burnout and growth.
Intentions Drive Identity
Execution matters—but intention defines consistency.
You have to ask:
Are you chasing visibility, or are you building value?
Intentional professionals anchor their work to standards:
Accuracy before speed (until you can consistently do both)
Clarity over volume
Impact over recognition
When your intentions are aligned, your output stabilizes. And in a field built on trust, consistency becomes your most valuable asset.
Decisions Define Direction
Careers aren’t shaped by one breakthrough moment. They’re shaped by accumulated decisions:
Preparation over procrastination
Accountability over excuses
Long-term growth over short-term comfort
These decisions are rarely visible to others—but they’re always consequential.
And importantly, no one is managing them for you.
Lead Yourself First
Before you lead a brand, a team, or a department—you have to lead yourself.
That requires:
Holding your standards, even when no one else enforces them
Managing your time with intention
Taking ownership without waiting for direction
Showing up consistently, regardless of circumstances
Leadership in sports communications isn’t positional—it’s behavioral.
And those who establish that discipline early don’t wait for opportunity. They create it.
A Final Thought for May
As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, this message carries an added layer of importance.
Leading yourself isn’t just about productivity—it’s about sustainability.
Your mindset, your habits, and your internal standards directly impact your mental health. Structure creates clarity. Clarity reduces stress. And intentional action builds confidence.
So if you’re looking for an edge—professionally or personally—don’t overcomplicate it:
Focus on your actions
Refine your mindset
Clarify your intentions
Own your decisions
Everything else builds from there.
Lead yourself first—and the rest will follow.
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