I do not define success to winning games, medals, trophies, and awards. For me, success is something much more valuable and attainable on a day to day basis. It isn’t the materialistic things that only few of us can receive, it is the energy, intentions and effort we give.
How often do players worry about how they are performing, how many points they have, or how many mistakes they’ve made? I know I have had my fair share of these moments and it has been my experience that the tiresome worrying so many of us do about achieving outward success is nothing but an unnecessary obstacle preventing us from acquiring what we truly want.
In other words, worrying about achieving outward success will only bring you farther away from acquiring it. Two things happen when players worry about outward success that limits them from achieving it. First, they are no longer as focused on what will help them achieve the outward success, hence decreasing their chances of acquiring it. Second, worrying is just the first step to losing self confidence, which leads to self doubt and a vicious self-fulfilling prophecy.
My suggestion to overcome these obstacles is to sit back and actually consciously change what success means to you. I first began to change my understanding when I read “Leadership” by John Wooden. Wooden was an astounding coach who won ten basketball NCAA national championships with UCLA in a twelve year span, including four perfect 30 and 0 records, achievements unmatched by any other college basketball coach.
One of Wooden’s famous quotes and part of the core of his coaching philosophy was:
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
So you can take it from me or from one of the greatest coach’s of all time, either way true success is winning the inner battle where your only opponent is you. In fact, from focusing on achieving inner success and giving your best effort, you will more than likely ended up having more outer success than you would have thought possible.
Winning championships, scoring goals and making it to the next level are great goals to set. However, it is the energy, intentions and effort you give that will bestow you the most satisfaction regardless of achieving your goal.
