As athletes, we all share one main thing in common-- the love for whatever it is that we participate in. We put in hours upon hours of hard work and sweat, trying to become the absolute best that we can be. It is here, whether that be on the field, the ice, the court, or in the gym, that we push ourselves. We hold ourselves to a high standard and aim to reach our fullest potential. Here are 32 valuable things you learn when you're an athlete:

1. There is no such thing as being lazy

2. True results and progress come from what you do on your own time

3. You know your body and when to rest it

4. Mental toughness becomes second nature

5. You cannot "push through" a concussion

6. Water is your best friend

7. Flying solo won't get you anywhere-- it's called a team for a reason

8. You can lean on your teammates because they can relate to you

9. How to be a leader and not a follower

10. Commitment is not something you fear

11. How to prioritize your time

12. Your coaches are like second parents

13. How to dedicate yourself to something

14. How to have a stellar work ethic

15. How to get along with others

16. To treat your body well and eat healthily

17. Slacking off will only hurt you

18. To be mindful of what you post online

19. Great opportunities can arise later down the road

20. The feeling of giving something your absolute all and having it pay off

21. How to conquer a challenge

22. You have an incredible amount of willpower

23. Giving up is not an option

24. How to push yourself until you literally can't

25. How to rise to the occasion when it's necessary

26. That you are lucky enough to have a second family

27. How to set goals for yourself

28. And how to achieve or even surpass those goals

29. How to respect those who want to help you improve

30. How to take constructive critisism when it is given to you

31. That you can always get better

32. How to love something much bigger than yourself

Those who are lucky enough to experience athletics are so incredibly blessed. It provides you with life lessons and transferable skills that carry over into your everyday life. So many of the traits that athletes possess cannot be taught anywhere else aside from through athletics. This makes us unique and will surely open doors for us later down the road. Athletes tend to be well-rounded people who thrive on a good challenge and never shy away from hard work. It is hard for many people to develop a true drive to want to succeed in life, so if you're an athelete you have athletics to thank for that.