Call your shot: How affirmations drive your actions to success

Call your shot!

Let me set the scene: a small, dimly lit rum shop tucked in the back streets of a Caribbean neighborhood. It was one of those hole-in-the-wall places that you'd call charming, if you weren’t already distracted by the smell of alcohol and the thick cloud of cigarette smoke hovering just above your head. "Ricky’s Place" had all the character of a spot that sold groceries, liquor, and an ill-fitting sense of belonging for guys like me and my friends, who spent most Fridays there with our eyes glued to the pool table.

It wasn’t just the atmosphere that kept us coming back. It was the pool table—the one thing we thought we might actually be able to master. Except, there was one problem: I sucked at pool. No matter how many games I played or how much I tried to focus, my friend Steve always left me in the dust. The man had style, too. He didn’t just play; he called his shots.

"11-ball, top left pocket," Steve would say, and then thwack!—he’d sink it like it was nothing. Meanwhile, I was over here scrambling to pocket anything, just hoping to not embarrass myself. Spoiler alert: I failed. Three games in a row, Steve gave me the dreaded “7-up”—he cleared the table, leaving all seven of my balls untouched. Not my finest moment.

As I sulked, getting ready for another game, Ricky—the owner of the bar—shouted, “Young man, you need to call your shot!” Now, I wasn’t used to Ricky talking to us, let alone offering advice, so I was startled. I didn’t get it. Call my shot? Wasn’t that for show-offs like Steve?

But Ricky, as usual, wasn’t here for games. He meant business. He sauntered over, reeking of cigarettes and rum, and gave me a lesson I’d never forget. He explained, “It’s not about showing off. It’s about confidence. If you don’t say what you’re going to do, how will you ever do it?”

So, I tried it. I started calling my shots in pool, and guess what? My game actually improved. I went from being 7-up to winning a few games here and there. But more importantly, I realized that Ricky’s advice applied to a lot more than pool.

Calling Your Shot in Life

The lesson didn’t really hit home until years later when I moved from the pool table to the boardroom. It turns out, “calling your shot” works in life too. Whether it’s business, relationships, or personal goals, there's power in confidently stating what you’re going to do—and then doing it. It’s about aligning your words with your actions.

When I became a manager and eventually started my own business, I understood that calling my shot was more than just saying “I’m going to make this sale” or “I’m going to nail this project.” It was about believing in the process. It’s the same reason why affirmations work: words matter. They focus your thoughts, align your intentions, and drive your actions toward success.

How It Plays Out in Coaching

In my coaching sessions, I teach this concept in a fun and practical way. One of my favorite team-building exercises involves a simple, but powerful activity. I ask participants to share a goal out loud—something they’ve been wanting to achieve. Then, as a group, we affirm that goal by rephrasing it as if it’s already happened. For example, instead of saying “I want to finish my degree,” we say, “I am a graduate.” You can feel the shift in energy when people speak their goals with certainty, just like calling your shot in pool.

Let’s say someone’s goal is to run a marathon. Instead of saying, “I want to run a marathon someday,” we reframe it to: “I am a marathon runner.” It might sound like a small tweak, but speaking in the present tense as if it's already true rewires your mindset. You start thinking and acting like a marathon runner today—whether it’s sticking to your training plan, fueling your body better, or prioritizing rest. You’re no longer wishing for it; you’re living it. It’s about stepping into the identity of your goal now, so your actions follow suit.

The results? People start believing in what they’ve declared. Just like when I called that 9-ball into the side pocket for the first time, they start seeing themselves as capable of sinking their own shots, in whatever game they’re playing. And that’s where the magic happens. To date, I am yet to ever have any of my clients say it didn't work. I have so many clients stories that start with, "I thought this was crazy but I did it and it actually worked..."

Conclusion

So, next time you’re faced with a challenge, whether it’s in a rum shop with a pool cue in hand or navigating a career decision, remember to call your shot. It’s not about showing off. It’s about trusting yourself enough to name what you want—and then going after it.

mycoach@ddrmlife.com