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In October of 2023, the Boston Celtics hired Jeff Van Gundy as Senior Consultant of Basketball Operations. Van Gundy had been a successful collegiate basketball player at Nazareth College. He was the Head Basketball Coach for the following NBA teams: New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. His basketball teams were known for their grit and tenacity. More recently, he was an ESPN Analyst for 16 years.

Brad Stevens, President of the Boston Celtics, said this about Van Gundy;  “This guy has a wealth of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and yet acts like an entry-level intern… he’s kind to everybody, he’s the most humble guy you’ve ever met.”

Stevens once said in an interview; “In a Growth Mindset you are not overwhelmed by your accomplishments and your not deterred by challenges, you are focused every day on your growth and just moving forward.”

Jeff Van Gundy went to the Boston Celtics and didn’t try to impress them with how much he knew about basketball. Instead, he impressed them with his willingness to learn, his kindness and genuine humbleness.

Below are a few of Van Gundy’s favorite Growth Mindset quotes:

  1. “The only way to achieve greatness is by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone”.
  2. “Failure is not defeat, but a stepping stone towards success”.
  3. “Believe in the power of hard work and the potential within yourself”.
  4. “Adaptability is the key to survival in any competitive environment.”
  5. “Success is not guaranteed, but it is always possible with hard work and determination”.
  6. “You never lose, you either win or learn”.
  7. “Consistency is the key to achieving long-term success”.
  8. “Failure is a detour, not a dead end”.
  9. “Learn from the past, but don’t live in it. Focus on the present and future”.
  10. “Passion and perseverance are the key ingredients to success in any endeavor”.

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