Calhoun Choral Program Handbook (p3):


The Definite Dozen System...

In order to give the students of the Calhoun Choral Program the best opportunity to succeed throughout life, both as a group and as individuals, the CCP employs the Definite Dozen System. This system was created by Pat Summitt, who retired in 2012 as the head coach of the 8-Time NCAA champion University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers Basketball Program. Not only is Summitt the NCAA All-Time Career Victory Leader, with 1,098 wins, her players had a 100% graduation rate in her 38 seasons as head coach.

The system is described in the motivational book Reach for the Summit.

A brief overview...

The Definite Dozen:

1. Respect Yourself and Others

  • There is no such thing as self-respect without respect for others.
  • Individual success is a myth. No one succeeds all by themselves.
2. Take Full Responsibility
  • There are no shortcuts to success.
3. Develop and Demonstrate Loyalty
  • Loyalty is not unilateral. You have to give it to receive it.
4. Learn to Be a Great Communicator
  • Listening is crucial to good communication.
  • We communicate all the time, even when we don't realize it, with body language.
5. Discipline Yourself So No One Else Has To
  • Self-discipline helps you believe in yourself.
  • Group discipline produces a group effort toward a common goal.
  • Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.
6. Make Hard Work Your Passion
  • Get the things that aren't fun out of the way first, and do them well.
  • Plan your work, and work your plan.
7. Don't Just Work Hard, Work Smart
  • Know your strengths, weakness, and needs.
  • Be flexible.
8. Put the Team Before Yourself
  • Teamwork allows common people to obtain uncommon results.
9. Make Winning an Attitude
  • Attitude is a choice. Maintain a positive outlook.
  • No one ever got anywhere by being negative.
  • Confidence is what happens when you've done the work that entitles you to succeed.
10. Be a Competitor
  • You can't always be the most talented person in the room. But you can put in the most effort.
11. Change is a Must
  • It's what you learn after you think you know it all that counts the most.
  • Change equals self-improvement. Push yourself to places you haven't been before.
  • Take risks. You can't steal second base with your foot on first.
12. Handle Success Like You Handle Failure
  • You can't always control what happens, but you can control how you handle it.
  • Don't let success make you complacent. It's harder to stay on top than it is to make the climb.
  • Sometimes you can learn more from losing than winning.

The Definite Dozen System hangs prominently on the wall at the front of the Vocal Room, a gift from the CCP Class of 2009.

photo copy

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