The Value Of Small Actions Everyday
Welcome back Gabarra Soccer team! Today’s topic is something I am continuing to learn almost everyday. And that is the value of small actions everyday.
Small actions = sustainable actions
This may sound redundant but it is the most sustainable path to improvement. We live in a culture of “hacks” and “improve your skills fast” but the truth is — foundational growth doesn't happen overnight. It’s built brick by brick, through small, intentional actions stacked day after day.
Think about:
Choosing water over soda at lunch.
Going to bed 30 minutes earlier.
Doing a 5-minute stretch before bed.
Writing down 3 things you’re grateful for after training.
None of that is flashy. But that’s what elite athletes do. They stack small wins until they build real momentum.
One training session wont transform your game, one workout wont make you the fittest on the field, and one film session wont make you a tactical master. But hundreds of those sessions stacked up? That is where the magic happens.
Big changes are flashy and exciting but small habits are sustainable. Confidence comes from discipline, from keeping promises to yourself. The more you follow through with, the more you trust yourself.
Now what truly is discipline? What does discipline look like?
We are constantly talking about discipline here at Gabarra Soccer. Formally, discipline is the ability to control one’s emotions, behaviors, and desires in the face of external demands, to achieve a goal or maintain standards. But basically, discipline is doing the hard stuff, the stuff that needs to get done, even when you don’t feel like doing it. It’s choosing what you want most over what you want right now. It’s trading short-term comfort for long-term growth. Discipline is the daily decision to honor your goals, even when the excitement fades.
I made the decision when I got to Sweden that every week I will spend 10-15 minutes dialing in on the basics. Throughout the craziness of professional football, I can forget to remind myself of the fundamentals. So every single match day -1, you’ll see me knocking the ball against the wall of the stadium. Getting 10 minutes of touches on the ball. Now does that mean this is all I’m doing to get better? Absolutely not. But this is my most consistent and non negotiable action. It’s not just routine — it’s a promise to myself. Week after week, I show up, knowing this work is watering the roots of my game. Mastery doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by choice.
Do you feel your level of discipline could improve? Here’s what I recommend:
Set clear goals with measurable actions
This may sound simple and obvious, but something you are working towards —tangible tasks you can cross off— give you a clear picture of the things you will show up for day in and day out.
Ex. Instead of “I want to get better” — try “I want my first touch under pressure to improve. So I’ll spend 20 min. a week getting touches on the ball with my back to pressure.” This allows you to check off those 20 minutes each week — knowing that you are doing something to improve.
Write them down.
Create a plan that you can stick to
Start small. And slowly up the amount of time you are spending.
Write the plan down. Buy a weekly calendar from the dollar store, input your team training, and create space for additional work, time reading, time watching film, time setting goals, time in the gym, etc. Write down the exact time you will spend on it.
Ex. Monday - team training + 10 min ball mastery after, Tuesday - no team training + gym + 15 min jog, Wednesday - team training + GS 10 min push session 3, Thursday - team training + GS controlled confidence session 1, Friday — no team training + recovery / prep for weekend games
Visual Reminders
This keeps goals and priorities top of mind throughout the day. It creates cues that make consistency mental nudges that reinforce habits, even when the motivation fades. Over time, they turn intentional actions into automatic routines.
Ex. Putting a sticky note on your mirror with one word defining your goal — i.e. if you want to make the starting roster for a game coming up, “6/19 vs UNC”
Set a daily non-negotiable
This removes the option to skip —it trains your mind to follow through regardless of mood, energy, or circumstances. It shows yourself that you are capable of being consistent, and eventually this small habit will become a bigger one.
Ex. 5 minutes of juggling every day
Design Your Environment
Lay your gear out the night before. Keep your journal by your bed. Put your water bottle on your desk.
Why it works: this makes the right choice easier and more automatic.
Use a “Why Statement”
Write out why your discipline matters. Example:
Read it every morning or before training.
Why it works: this connects your habits to your deeper purpose.
Ex. “I train every day because I want to earn a college scholarship and be ready when the moment comes.”
Discipline isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. The small decisions you make daily are shaping the player and person you’re becoming. When you learn to follow through on the little things, big opportunities don’t feel so overwhelming. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how your habits separate you from the rest.
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