The next year of your career is coming. It represents a new level of your life and will have new things for you to master. In order to position yourself to be among the best in your sport and professional career, you have to work to master important things at the level you are currently on, and prepare for advancement to your next level, as well. Learning everything that you need to know at each respective level helps in preparing you for the next.
It was my freshman year at UAB and I was playing in the point guard position in a game.
As I dribbled down the court, all I could think of was to get the ball down the court and get rid of it. The ball was like a hot potato in my hands.
It seemed that whenever I played point, our opponents always applied more pressure or full court pressed us.
I was not ready. I was inexperienced and it showed. My teammates had no confidence in me and neither did I.
My sophomore year was a little better.
My junior and senior years were totally different. We were rarely full court pressed. I had gained more experience and I was prepared.
Why?
Because I had learned that each year of your career brings new challenges to conquer. You will have to master key things at one level, in order for the transition to the next to be smoother and prepare you for those challenges that await you at the next.
Therefore, accomplishing or fulfilling what your team requires of you in a specific year, makes it less difficult for you to step into your new role as an upper classman in the next year.
Your coach and teammates will expect you to lead and be able to take on a more responsible role on the team.
If not, you risk falling behind.
I encourage you to determine what skills, personal character etc. you need to have to be successful at the current stage of your career and try to develop them. Do this by talking with your coach and also by paying attention to other teams, especially those athletes and teams that are winning. Notice how your counterparts perform. Observe how they are treated by their coaches and other members of their team. See what is required of them. Also, do the same to determine what it would take for you to be successful in your next year. Include studying your teammates who are upper classmen.
Never reach a state where you are not growing.
You should always be seeking knowledge and learning everything that will prepare you for your next level.
Remember all knowledge that you acquire from the previous levels of your career should be applied to the subsequent levels of your career. This includes knowledge obtained from both competitive and academic experiences.
If executed correctly, you should see improvement in your athletic skills, and personal character, and should be getting closer to obtaining your degree.
Are you getting ready for the next year in your career?
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