My entire life has revolved around sports. Seven days a week I was practicing, playing games, or working on my own to improve my game. As soon as I turned 5, I was signed up for pee-wee soccer and tee-ball.
I've played soccer my whole life. Up until my sophomore year of high school when I was 16, I was also playing basketball and softball. I had to choose which one I wanted to continue with in college, because at this point for me, not playing a sport in college was never an option. I chose soccer. My heart had always lied with the beautiful game and it has led me to the best friends I could ever ask for, role models I admire and respect immensely, and the best college in the world (in my totally unbiased opinion). While I'm incredibly thankful for the experiences I've had and the people I've met along the way, the lessons that sports teach you can't be taught in other aspects of life.
1. Self-motivation is a major key to success.
No one is going to force you to wake up at 7am to go to the gym so you can stay fit in the offseason. The only one who can get you to be your best is YOU. You've got to have that drive and mindset to get better. This goes outside of sports as well. Your boss isn't going to check in on you to make sure you have done what you're supposed to have done. Its expected of you to do your job and get it done.
2. Mental toughness is just as important as being physically tough.
Some coaches (or bosses) are always more, let's call it "vocal," than others. This means being able to take criticism that isn't always put very nicely. There's always room for improvement, whether it's your game, work ethic, or your job. The key is to take it and build upon it. Don't dwell on the fact that it might not have been said very nicely.
3. Balancing responsibilities is extremely difficult at times, but doable.
Oh, you've got 2 projects due tomorrow that you haven't started? You have school from 7-2, practice from 3-5, dinner to eat, friends to see, when did you plan on doing those projects again? Balancing school, sports, and a social life is one of the hardest things to do. Tournaments have you gone all weekend, teachers want to actually make sure you're learning (bummer, amirite?), and you actually would like to see your friends once in a blue moon. You learn a lot about time management when you're an athlete.
4. I have a huge amount of respect for my parents.
Without them, I wouldn't have been able to do anything. They drove me to every practice, game, and tournament until I was 16 and could finally drive myself. They sacrificed weekends, weeknights, mornings, afternoons, everything to make sure I was where I needed to be, when I needed to be there. They paid for years of premier soccer, basketball, and softball. I feel so blessed to have such amazing parents.
Do I wonder what my life would be like had I chosen a different path, of course. Would I have it any other way? Absolutely not.
