If you're an athlete, or once were an athlete, then I bet you vividly remember your first touchdown, first home run, first basket, first goal, etc. In that moment, you felt like you were one of the pros that you had watched on TV every day. You felt like you did the impossible and your entire dreams of playing the sport you love had just become a reality. And that was the moment you knew that sports would forever become one of the most important parts of your life. Through the years and years of continuing that sport you've faced countless obstacles, fierce rivalries, and you pushed yourself to the limit.
A lot of people are quick to believe that sports are simply a contest to see who can score the most points. That they make you physically stronger but have no mental impact. That could not be further from the truth. Playing sports for almost your entire life teaches you things that cannot be taught in the classroom, things that shape who you are, and will stay with you forever. Here are 5 of the most important things that playing sports has taught me:
1. Competitive Nature
If you're an athlete, then you should know that the word "competitive" takes on a whole new meaning. In sports there are no participation trophies (unless, of course, you're 5 years old), and there are no ties or draws. You are taught to win, and you wouldn't settle for anything less. Coaches don't teach you to strive for second or third, that it's OK if you're not the best, because that's not what sports are about. Olympians don't train for the silver or bronze medals; their eyes are set on the gold. The ultimate achievement in any sporting event. They teach you to go after something that you want and that you shouldn't stop until you get it. But being competitive does not only mean that you want to constantly win, it means that you also have the ability to scope out the competition. To recognize others' strengths and weaknesses and capitalize on them. This is an important skill to have throughout your life in many scenarios, such as competing for a job or an internship. Most companies don't simply hand out jobs to whoever they can find. They do their research and look to see who the best qualified person is, and what they can bring to the team. If you're a competitive person then you should be the one with the most desire and drive to get anything you want.
2. The Importance of Teamwork
If you're a team sport athlete then you will very much be able to relate to this. Throughout our athletic careers we've been on many different teams filled with drastically different people. Some good, some bad. However, you were able to work with whoever was put in front of you and use each others' skills and abilities to the fullest potential. We've all been on teams that gelled extremely well together, and some that struggled. Teamwork is absolutely vital in the real world because no matter what you do, you do it with people. Doing group work in class, working on a team project at your job, attending and participating in meetings -- you learn to work with different types of people in order to get the job done. And this team, whether athletic or not, can even become some of your closest friends. All the varying personalities and interests of those you interact with can all be put together to create a very special bond. You are taught to rely on your teammates, to trust your teammates, and to make sure everybody contributes something in their own, unique way.
3. Overcoming Adversity
We all very well know that sports are not simply just fun and games. With hard work comes great stress, anxiety, and sometimes you even doubt that you want to go on. You are pushed to the limit both physically and mentally, and it can really take its toll. I'm sure that we have all been in an underdog situation when playing an extremely tough team with the odds stacked against you. It is at that point where you decide to either give up or push through. There is no giving up in sports and you are taught to overcome the toughest of obstacles. Overcoming adversity is an incredibly important quality to have in life, as it teaches you how to get back up when you fall. How to persevere and continue to give your all despite what others say and despite the odds.
4. Hard Work Is Rewarding
No athlete ever wins every single game or match that they play. Accepting defeat is inevitable, but it shows others how to be sportsmanlike and it builds character. Winning is always an incredible feeling, especially the satisfaction that your hard work has finally paid off. All those hours of practicing and training did not go to waste, and it gives you a real sense of accomplishment. Even when you lose, no matter how bad, there is always something to gain. With any game or match that you play you continue to put your skills to the test, and they continue to grow more and more with experience. Even in the real world, you will not succeed in everything you do. But you were taught to always work hard no matter what the outcome because it is the journey that matters more than the destination. You are always getting stronger, smarter, faster, no matter if you win or lose, and that is the most honorable achievement there is.
5. Finding A Passion
Through all the years of hard work, practices, adversity, wins, losses, you were able to discover a newfound passion that you have for your sport. You found something that you truly and wholeheartedly love, so much to the point that you sacrifice your time, energy and body for it. It goes beyond the desire to win and receive personal recognition -- you play it because you love every part of it, and you get more satisfaction from the sport itself rather than the trophy. Finding a passion is essential to living your life, whether it is a career, interest or hobby, because you find something that you can dedicate yourself to. Passion and dedication go hand in hand, and they are the first few steps of living a life of happiness and fulfillment.
Finally, take a moment to thank your parents, coaches, teammates and all the life-long friends that you have made from your years as an athlete. Even if those years are behind you, they are the ones who have helped you on your journey to discover a passion that will never die out. Sports will always be a part of you, and the values and lessons that have come out of it will continue to manifest themselves every day for the rest of your life. And for that, you should be extremely grateful.
