“I feel like I’ll never get better.”
How many of you have heard that come out of your mouth, much less your child’s? It is always tempting to let your hopes and dreams drown the fact that it takes time to grow. So, when you are frustrated or put-down by not being an expert after a month, squash it. That feeling is a real downer and doesn’t help you at all! Remember that progress is all about the process.
Prepare Yourself for Hard Work
Approach and maintain the mindset that hard work will take you further than pure talent. At World Class Sports, we recognize that being a natural has its perks, but “naturals” don’t stand a chance without technique and persistence. Even if you aren’t confident in your physique, be confident knowing you will push yourself to be better – hold yourself accountable and practice!
Focus on Progression
Paying closer attention to your progression helps narrow focus to the matters at hand. How easy is it to say, “Man, I quit!” or, “I can’t do this”? Super easy. Anyone can quit. Instead, maintain focus on what you are doing and how it will take you to where you want to be. Appreciate your progression! Those steps are essential, so take the time to enjoy your wins, however small.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Everyone is scared to see hard work produce absolutely nothing. However, don’t forget that valuable lessons come from failure. If you lose a game but gave it your absolute best shot, don’t drag yourself down! If winning were everything then no one would appreciate doing well or have fun.
Recognize That You Need Others
Self-growth relies primarily on your motivation. However, the ones around you are just as important; because when you do weigh yourself down (it happens to everyone), supportive people are invaluable. They have seen your failures, successes, and progression. Never be so bigheaded to think that you can do it all alone.
Never Compare Yourself to Others
This final piece of advice is a big pill to swallow – comparison. The other team has bigger kids, tons of wins under their belts, so on and so forth. Throw all of that out the window!
Ultimately, remember that you can’t work on others, only on yourself. You are your biggest worry. Focus on you. Don’t forget the work you have put in, or the people who are cheering for your success (don’t forget to share your stories with trainers!). If you fail, get back up. If you succeed, shake the hand of your opponent. Have confidence in your progression and hard work!
Remember, Stay World Class.