ARE YOU A COMPETITOR? You know one when you see one. On the field or court, a competitor does anything for the ball, puts in 110%, and comes through for her teammates and her coach.
Off the field, a competitor helps her friends when they need it, is a positive part of the community, and steps up as a leader. The difference between being a participant and being a competitor is small, but obvious.
Here are some tips for challenging yourself to live outside your comfort zone and to become more than a participant. Become a competitor.
1. Compete with Yourself.
When you’ve juggled a soccer ball for 10 times in a row, try for 20. If you make five free throws in a row, shoot for 10. Be proud of yourself when you reach a goal . . . then set another goal. Continue to achieve. Stretch beyond your comfort zone to see how good you can be. And continue to challenge yourself.
The ultimate is not to win, but to reach within the depths of your capabilities and to compete against yourself. -Billy Mills
2. Focus on the Little Things
Athletes often focus on “the big game”. By focusing on the basics you will lay the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment within your sport. You will have confidence in your skills to do the more complicated moves through lots of practice. And, you will be ready when it’s time to make a big play in the big game.
Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things. -Lawrence D. Bell
3. Get Up and Just Go
We all have days that we don’t want to workout or train. We just want to take the time to chill or relax. Sometimes it means that our bodies are tired and we need the rest. But, often times it’s that we just feel lazy.
On those “lazy” days, go outside or to the gym and make a promise with yourself to do a minimum amount of exercise. Maybe it’s just five minutes of jumping rope or 20 basketball lay-ups. The little things add up. Once you start moving and set a goal, chances are your heart will get pumping and you’ll start to feel more energetic.
These are the days you accomplish two things: (1) get over a mental block that says you don’t want to workout, and (2) get in better shape! Most of the time you’ll even exceed your goal. Being a competitor means working hard even when you don’t want to.
It is not how you begin that matters, but how you finish. J.T., Age 17 - Maine
4. Be a Leader
When it comes down to who leads a team, most of the time it isn’t the coach but a player. Being a leader takes work and it starts in practice and at home. You have to make decisions that people respect. You have to work hard when you and no one else wants to.
In practice, give every effort you can in every drill. This type of work ethic will transfer onto the court or field. Your teammates will know you’ll push through your comfort zone and lead them to victory in a game if they see you do it in practice. Being a leader isn’t telling people what to do; it’s showing people you’re willing to do what it takes to be successful.
Your mind must be able to control your body in order to succeed. -Coach Reid, New Jersey
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