Mental Performance Daily with Brian Cain Principle Not Preference
Mar 12, 2026
A breakdown of coaching principles like process, standards, accountability, and expectations. A contrast between principle-driven behavior and preference-driven habits. Stories and examples showing discipline, consistency, and doing what needs to be done. A call to identify core principles to shift daily actions.
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Define Core Principles To Drive Behavior
- Define and write down a small set of core principles to drive behavior intentionally.
- Brian Cain points to Kurt Cignetti and Nick Saban's lists: discipline, commitment, toughness, work ethic, and pride as concrete examples.
Alabama Gloves Displayed Their Principles
- Trevor Moawad made pregame videos for Alabama that flashed core principles and even printed them on receiver gloves as constant reminders.
- Cain recounts seeing those gloves and the five-word mantra used by Alabama: discipline, commitment, toughness, work ethic, and pride.
Principle Beats Preference Every Time
- Principle-driven behavior beats feeling-driven behavior because it prevents emotional decisions in the moment.
- Cain summarizes that intentional, pre-decided standards stop you from asking "what do I feel like doing?" and create consistent action.
