The mental aspect of sports, life
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are principles that this country was founded on. These principles are key factors in people achieving the ideal lifestyle and realizing their dreams and goals. As we go throughout our lives, chasing dreams and setting goals, there will be ups and downs that come with everyday challenges. Achieving these goals will vary on the person, sometimes achievement will come in a group and sometimes as individuals. Other times the failure to realize one’s goals will result in tremendous growth and development and ultimately greater happiness.
This archived article was written by: Alexandro Church
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are principles that this country was founded on. These principles are key factors in people achieving the ideal lifestyle and realizing their dreams and goals. As we go throughout our lives, chasing dreams and setting goals, there will be ups and downs that come with everyday challenges. Achieving these goals will vary on the person, sometimes achievement will come in a group and sometimes as individuals. Other times the failure to realize one’s goals will result in tremendous growth and development and ultimately greater happiness.
Athletes, whether recreational or professional, will get a taste of struggle, become affiliated with adversity, and understand upsets. The truly successful athletes keep these relationships at the acquaintance level and never become friends rather they stay focused on what matters taking each play, each shot, each at bat in perspective. Understanding one’s progress and capabilities will provide fuel for more success and further triumph.
These skills can then translate in to a better life skills for the said athlete whether in the classroom or in the meeting room the consistency learned in their sport of choice will help them to be a better student and business partner. The hard work and sweat it takes to become a great athlete will sharpen the mind and add to the character of a person. This will continue in family relationships, with the attention and hard work it takes to raise children, to provide for a whole family or simply to look past the faults of others.
Those who continually push and pull to get to the top are the ones who will be most consistent over time. Instead of laying down and surrendering they are fine tuning their skills by taking a step back and then sprinting forward. There is patience needed in sports a certain resiliency needed to always be looking a the silver lining. When its 110 degrees outside and you love it because you’re doing what you love or it’s 12 degrees outside and you feel the same way that can be taken in to life as long as you are continually doing something that you are convinced that you love.
It is in the trenches that we will learn the most about ourselves keeping a positive attitude when we fail, working harder when we can’t go any further, and being united in the midst of so much adversity. The responsibility and accountability it takes to become a successful athlete will help a man or woman have a better quality of life and help them to move up the ladder in society much faster than those who play the blame game. Whether on the court with friends or the gridiron with brothers the mental game of sports is a microcosm of the mental game of life.
