Former athletes ask others how they got to where they are in their careers outside of sports, but the answer rarely sits right with us.
For the past 4 years, I’ve had massive dreams and aspirations that honestly align with who I am and the life that I want. I have been in search of the answer that is keeping me from my career goals, looking under posts, in courses and coaching, going on retreats, reading books, asking others, tried to befriend those in spaces I desire as if everything was holding on to a secret that I wasn’t privy to. 4 years later I’ve come to grips with the fact that there is no secret, no special sauce that successful people have that I’m missing. The answer that is unsettling, especially for former athletes, is being a novice, beginner, or amateur again. An unashamed one at that. We grew up hustling, practicing, and being mediocre at our sports before we gained awareness, and by the time we were of age to gain consciousness, we were elite athletes, forgetting about the times when we were up and coming.
So now, as we journey into life, finding our paths and passions outside of sports, we are faced with the task of being… bad at something and telling the world we are trying something new. This goes against everything we are used to. We long to be able to practice on our own, then showcase what we’ve worked on in a game or match and find success that way.
But that’s not life. It doesn’t work that way. Justin Bieber didn’t wait until his voice was perfect to post to YouTube, Sarah Blakely didn’t wait until she had a ton of clothes options before releasing Spanx, and you don’t have to have it all figured out and together to show the world what you’re doing or where you are going. Matter of fact, waiting until it’s perfect is keeping you from your goals.
I saw a quote that said
“The happiness you seek is in the work you are avoiding.”
What work are you avoiding? I’ll admit, I avoid the emails asking for opportunities, the follow-ups, and the rejections. But that’s the work! It’s putting myself out there. Putting Sportswomen out there in its infancy is the work I will find happiness.
I want you to find happiness too. Take the time to be honest about what you’re avoiding. Discover the work needed to push you to the next level and give you fulfillment.
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