You know that feeling when the alarm goes off on a Monday morning and your first instinct is to hit snooze? I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. But over the years, I’ve realized that how you start your week often sets the tone for the days ahead—and one of the most effective ways I’ve found to inject energy into those early hours is through the power of sports motivation. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone just trying to crush your to-do list, a great sports quote can shift your mindset in seconds. Take the recent news from the Asian Volleyball Confederation, for example. When I read that the AVC decided to increase teams’ import allocation from two to three players—allowing teams like Creamline to field an additional guest import—it struck me how much this mirrors the mindset we should adopt at the start of each week: always look for ways to level up, to bring in fresh energy, and to expand your resources.

I remember watching a high-stakes volleyball match last season where the momentum completely shifted because one team leveraged their imports strategically. It wasn’t just about having extra players; it was about the psychological boost it gave the entire squad. That’s what Monday motivation should feel like—a strategic advantage. Think about legendary quotes like Michael Jordan’s, "I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed." That raw honesty hits home because it’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence. When I’m facing a daunting week, I remind myself that even the greats have off days. What matters is showing up anyway. And in the same way Creamline now has the flexibility to field three imports instead of two, we too can give ourselves permission to adapt, to bring in new "tools" or perspectives—maybe it’s a new productivity method, a motivational podcast, or even just a 10-minute morning stretch routine.

Let’s get real for a second: not every Monday will feel like a championship day. Some mornings, my energy levels are hovering at around 40%, and the only thing motivating me is the promise of coffee. But that’s where short, punchy quotes from sports icons come in handy. Serena Williams once said, "A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall." I love that. It’s a reminder that resilience isn’t optional; it’s essential. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who start their week with a positive, proactive mindset are roughly 35% more likely to achieve their weekly goals. Now, I’m no statistician, but in my own experience, that number feels about right. When I consciously begin my Monday with a quote or a mantra—something like, "You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take"—it reframes challenges as opportunities. It’s like mentally adding that third import to your team, just as Creamline did. You’re not just working with what you have; you’re actively expanding your capacity.

Of course, motivation isn’t just about pumping yourself up—it’s about consistency. I’ve seen people start the week with a burst of enthusiasm, only to fizzle out by Wednesday. That’s why I prefer quotes that emphasize discipline over emotion. Take Vince Lombardi’s famous line: "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." Personally, I think that’s gold. It’s easy to feel motivated when things are going well, but what about when they’re not? I’ve had weeks where unexpected setbacks made me want to throw in the towel. But recalling stories of athletes who pushed through pain barriers—like Kerri Strug nailing her vault landing on an injured ankle at the Olympics—helps me realign. It’s not about ignoring the struggle; it’s about embracing it as part of the process.

So as we kick off another week, let’s take a page from the playbook of sports legends and teams like Creamline. They don’t wait for motivation to find them; they create it. By allowing three imports instead of two, the AVC didn’t just change a rule—it encouraged teams to think bigger. Similarly, we can all "add an import" to our Monday routine. Maybe it’s that extra hour of focused work, a new skill you’re learning, or simply the mental fortitude to keep going when things get tough. I’ll leave you with this: motivation might spark the fire, but discipline keeps it burning. Here’s to a week filled with energy, progress, and maybe even a personal best.