How Can I Get 1% Better Today?
THE ANSWER: Earn A Poker Chip
.Our baseball coach gave each player three poker chips with a simple but powerful challenge: give those chips to individuals who have positively impacted your life, school, or community—and tell them why. As a bonus, anyone who received a chip could get into all home games for free. But the real reward wasn’t the free admission. It was what the act required and what it created.
This idea carries so much value because it pushes against something we often get wrong, especially with young men. We teach toughness, grit, and resilience—but we don’t always teach expression. This challenge forces a player to slow down, look someone in the eye, and say, “You matter to me.” That takes courage. That builds character. That’s real strength. At the same time, it creates a powerful ripple effect. When someone receives a chip, they feel seen, appreciated, and valued—and when people feel that, they tend to show up better in every area of their life. One small act of gratitude can shift a culture.
It also reinforces what a program stands for. Trust. Love. Communication. Being a good person. These aren’t just words on a wall—they become actions lived out daily. That’s how culture is built, not through speeches, but through consistent, intentional behavior.
I was incredibly grateful to be chosen by one of our young men to receive a poker chip. It meant more than any award or recognition because it came from the heart. It was a reminder that impact isn’t measured in wins or stats, but in relationships and influence.
So here’s the challenge today: you don’t need a poker chip to live this out. Send the text. Make the call. Have the conversation. Tell someone specifically why they matter to you. And at the same time, live in a way that earns one—because the goal isn’t just to receive recognition, it’s to become the kind of person others can’t help but recognize.
Never Stop Getting Better,
John Perry
Source: Logan Hughes – Nixa Baseball