Its a Bird. Its a plane. No its Big-Time Sports.
During my morning read I came across an article in the NYT talking about big-time sports and avoiding the trap they can be in the college setting. Actually, I can see it being a “trap” for many other settings as well whether your child plays on an elite travel team, a high-level high school team trying to earn a scholarship or trying to qualify for a National or World Championship. You think you’re focusing but, you’re actually putting the blinders on for what is important, that is, remembering your original goal or reason for pursuing such an opportunity.
Here is a short quote from the article that resonated with me.
And it is so true. I am in the development business. I enjoy developing people into the athletes they always wished they were. To do that I ask myself and my athletes every year, mostly every season and sometimes more often is the “Do-Do-Do Bird” question (not to be mistaken with the do-do bird aka stupid bird):
“Why Do you Do what you Do?”
When you get into the nitty-gritty of the season or training cycle it’s easy to lose sight of the big-picture but, knowing your reasons why can give you the strength to achieve your goals.
As Friedrich Nietzsche once said:
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.“
Make sure to remind yourself not be a Do-Do Bird and forget the “Do-Do-Do Bird” question frequently and I promise you’ll stay on track.
