Worcestershire Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes believes in the value of him remaining level-headed throughout the ups and downs his young squad of promising players have to deal with during a county season.
The county have enjoyed plenty of highs this summer but now have to bounce back from a rare dip in fortunes after back to back defeats in the LV = County Championship against Gloucestershire and Derbyshire.
Rhodes is delighted with the overall showing in 2014 of his young charges, with often seven or eight Academy products in the side, and there have been clear signs of improvement and progress.
But through good or bad days, the former England wicket-keeper knows keeping things in perspective is important.
Rhodes said: "There are lots of strides that have been made. It's a pleasure to see players playing well.
"It's not perfect and we'd have loved to have won the last couple of games.
"I've got a job to do here. I know that sounds a bit blase and I try not to get too carried away and I try not to get too disappointed.
"I think it is really important if you are the person that is leading the group of players and they feed off you, and if I get too excited or too down, then they feel it.
"I am pleased with the progress but I am always wanting to try and lift that bar and improve them a little bit more.
"It's about conveying that it's not the end of the world if we have lost and it's not the best thing since sliced bread if we win.
"It's about keeping an even keel, a perspective, and important the person who is calling the shots, if you like, doesn't get too carried away or too despondent."
