Ever have a deadline sneak up on you and have to scramble to make it?

Have you coasted along easily then had to turn it up a notch when things are on the line?

Have you struggled and clawed your way through the year...only to find that you need not be daunted any longer:  you've learned a lot along the way?

Come up against a tough opponent several times, only to come up a little short...just wishing for one more chance to show them your mettle?

Sports analogies, sure...but they apply in business also.

The college basketball regular season is drawing to a close.  Next week will be one of struggle, triumph and chaos as teams have one last chance to make it to the "Big Dance" by winning the automatic invitation handed out to conference tournament winners.  Teams that have struggled all year can still make a run at post-season play by using what they have learned during the season to put it all together and pull off a few upsets.

Teams that have had an easy time through the year can find themselves caught by surprise...perhaps even losing to a squad they had beaten handily before.  Rankings are shuffled, seedings rearranged, strengths and weaknesses are found as college ballclubs look to make the field for the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Can you put it together when it counts?

How will you perform when it is all on the line?

Do you have the character to do what it takes to win?

Can you sacrifice personal glory for the good of the team?

There isn't a lot of difference in the basic mindset that makes success in sports, business or life in general!  We can all learn a lot about heart, character, coaching and resilience during the next week...before it all starts again with the NCAA Tournament.