🏆 Do you live by the Tomato Theory?

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💭ONE THOUGHT
Do you live by the Tomato Theory?

What is the Tomato Theory?

It’s simple but powerful.

In life, I believe we’re constantly faced with two choices—two paths we can walk down:

We are either Green and Growing or Red and Rotting.

I first heard this in a Master’s Class for my Principal licensure. I hadn’t heard that phrase before, but as soon as I heard it, I loved it.

It is so true.

It is a mindset that defines us as coaches and leaders.

If there is anything that has separated the best coaches and leaders I know from those who are less successful, it is the concept of continuous improvement.

The best coaches are always getting better.

It is a big reason I write online, why I wrote my first book, Culture WINS, and why I created my two courses, Better Coach OS and Team Leader OS.

I am always looking to get better.

Ultimately, I think success comes down to two key choices that define how we approach life and competition:

1. A Growth Mindset

This is about being in a state of constant learning and improvement. When a tomato is green, it’s still growing—there’s more to come. It hasn’t reached its full potential yet, but it’s on its way, steadily ripening. This is how we should view ourselves as athletes, coaches, and leaders.

Having a growth mindset means embracing challenges, seeing failures as opportunities to learn, and never feeling satisfied with where you are. It’s about understanding that you haven’t “arrived”—there’s always more to do, more to learn, more ways to grow.

Too often, we get comfortable, and comfort is dangerous. When we believe we’ve “made it,” that’s when the growth stops. And just like that, we shift from being green and growing to red and rotting. We start to believe that we've done enough, and suddenly, progress halts. At that moment, we’d already begun to lose.

2. A Competitive Fire

This is the hunger to keep pushing forward, even when it’s tough—even when others around you are slowing down. A competitive fire is what keeps us sharp, keeps us engaged, and keeps us striving for that next level.

Think of a tomato turning red. At first, it seemed fine, even ripe. But it’s a small window before it starts to soften, bruise, and ultimately rot. The same happens in sports and life. The moment we stop pushing ourselves, the moment we lose that edge, that fire, we start to decline.

Athletes, coaches, leaders—this applies to all of us. If we’re not actively seeking ways to sharpen our skills, build our teams, or refine our strategies, we’re slipping. And once you’ve started to rot, it’s hard to return.

How to Stay Green and Growing

So, how do we keep ourselves green and growing? How do we avoid the trap of becoming red and rotting? Here are a few key strategies:

1. Stay Curious – Always be a learner. Read, watch, and listen to those who are ahead of you. Stay open to new ideas, and never think you know it all.

2. Embrace Discomfort – Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not pushing hard enough. Whether it’s a tough workout, a difficult conversation, or a high-pressure situation, lean into it. That’s where the growth happens.

3. Compete Every Day – It’s not just about game day; it’s about how you show up every day. Compete with yourself to be better than you were yesterday. Compete with your team to push each other to new levels. The small daily competitions fuel the bigger wins down the road.

4. Surround Yourself with Growth-Oriented People – Your environment matters. Be around people who challenge you to grow, who expect more from you, and who are also committed to getting better. Like iron sharpens iron, people with a growth mindset will push you to new heights.

Wrap Up…

The Tomato Theory reminds us that we are either moving forward or falling behind—there is no standing still. If we’re not actively seeking growth, we passively allow ourselves to rot.

So ask yourself today: Are you green and growing, or red and rotting? Are you getting better, or are you settling for good enough? The choice is yours, every day.

Because in the end, those who grow WIN.

P.S. What is a great way to stay Green and Growing? When you are ready, check out Better Coach OS. This course will make you a better coach and help you build a better team. I guarantee you will learn many things and find great value - It is 25% off for a limited time.

📜 TWO QUOTES

🔗 LINKS OF THE WEEK

🎥 Video: Coach K to Lebron - “Look Me In The Eye.”

🎙️ Podcast: In this Basketball Leadership Podcast episode, Coach Collins and I discuss the 5 Keys of Coach K Leadership.

🆇 ICYMI: How to ‘Be a Good Teammate’

𝐗 THREE POSTS FROM OTHERS

BETTER COACH OS 🚨

This is the course that will make you a BETTER COACH next season. Thank you for subscribing to Great Teams, Better Leaders. It is 25% off for a limited time!

What is included?

Nine modules on the most critical aspects needed to be a great coach. 

1.  Why do you coach?

2.  Organization 101

3.  Communication 101

4.  Culture Wins

5.  Leadership Matters

6.  Building Commitment

7.  Motivation and Mindset

8.  Personnel, Practice Planning, & Strategy

9.  The Art of Coaching

Plus, a BONUS Module with three mini-courses on the Head Coach Interview, the Sports Parent, and 21 Lessons Learned in a Lifetime of Coaching.

📚 BOOKS, COURSES, BUNDLES, & FREE RESOURCES

Bundles:

• The OS Bundle - Save $ when you get the Team Leader OS and Better Coach OS.

• Mega Bundle - Get ALL of my paid resources, save BIG $.

• Culture WINS Bundle - Get ALL of my Culture resources in place.

• Culture Wins Book Bundle - Both books are available for a discount.

• ADs: Want site licenses for a school? Reply to this email for more.

Courses, Curriculum, and More:

• Team Leader OS - Develop your team leaders year after year.

• Better Coach OS - Masterclass course to be a better coach.

• Culture Wins Curriculum - Growing curriculum to use with a ‘Captain’s Council’ concept in your school.

Books: Paperback books (AMAZON) - All of my books are on Amazon.

Find all FREE books and resources at gberge.gumroad.com.

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👀 OTHER WAYS I CAN HELP

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Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]