Putting together successive winning seasons is so difficult in sports that teams bring in consultants such as psychologist to help them learn how to do it. The following are suggestions from sports psychologist Bruce Ogilvie to help ensure continued success:

Work on specific skills

No matter how many successes a team has had, there is still room for improvement. There are athletes on the team who have not yet come close to fulfilling their potential. Work with each team member to foster improvement and growth. Focus each player on a new goal for the season.

Make a change

Every winners temptation is to continue doing things exactly the same as before. But that is a flawed approach to success. You and your team will end up standing still, and another team will blow right by you. Use the momentum you've gained from past successes to continue to change and grow.

Reward the unrewarded

Every team has unsung heros - athletes who were under appreciated for their contribution to the team's success. Find those athletes and reward them with praise, more responsibility, and further opportunities.

Transfer the burden

Success always comes at a price. If your team has succeeded, it is because some members of the team have carried the burden by making sacrifices. They have given up time with families, worked long hours training their bodies, and put their primary goals after the team's. Some athletes will have made such extensive sacrifices that they cannot continue to make them. Give them a break and transfer the burden to others who are willing and able (this goes for members of your coaching staff as well).

Above all, don't dwell on yesterdays victory

If your focus is on what's behind you rather than what's ahead, you will crash and burn! I like the story of world and Olympic champion Dan Gable. Following the 1971 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dan's room mate woke up on Sunday morning wondering where Dan was at. As he laid there, like many athletes he was content in his accomplishments. Minutes late Dan Gable walked in with sweat dripping from his body following a run through the streets of Bulgaria. Less than 12 hours after winning a world championship, Dan Gable was not content to sleep in and enjoy his achievement. He was already focusing in on his next challenge. Celebrate victories, enjoy them briefly, and then look forward.

Avoid Burnout

Another way to help your athletes continue to win is to help them avoid burnout. The best way to do that is to see it coming and avoid it. The signs are:

• Lack of energy
• Sleeplessness
• Lack of creativity
• Inability to make decisions
• Chronic anger
• Bitter or sarcastic language
• Exhaustion
• Tension headaches
• Body aches
• Nausea

John Madden, sports analyst and former head football coach of the world champion Oakland Raiders, was a victim of burnout. He was once asked what the first signs of his burnout were. He said, "You won't have the energy because you don't have the interest. Suddenly, you don't care about the draft. You're not interested in mini-camp. You don't care who the best college linebacker is. You don't care if they've signed any of your veteran players to contracts. When you don't care it's time to go...you're history...you're done. Because John Madden burned out, he was not able to continue coaching. The same things happens to many athletes.

To continue winning you've got to avoid burnout.