What We Can Learn About Life From Athletes
I’ve never been one of the physically gifted ones who just seem to easily excel in sports. Most of my life, I’ve harbored a hidden jealousy of them. And with a bit of a sigh, resigned myself to the reality that I’ll never be able to perform like the top stars in track, basketball, or any other sport. However, there are some things about the way they approach the game that all of us can learn from. There are some skills and habits that we can put to use quickly to improve our game, the game of life. We can learn to do life as sport.
Part of the problem that most of us have may surprise you. Because we’ve been indoctrinated that it’s critical to success. And that’s goals. We set and pursue goals, and the goals become all that matter. We measure ourselves by them. We judge ourselves, and others, by not only the presence of goals but whether or not we’ve achieved them. As a result, we only pay homage to the process, the journey, because it’s the necessary path to the goal. And this is where we can learn from top athletes.
Loving The Process
Time is a funny thing. We don’t realize it’s passing until it’s gone. Interestingly, one of the most frequently voiced regrets at the end of a career – or life – is that we wish we’d enjoyed it more. The message in that is simple. No matter whether the intended goal is attained or lost, the greater loss is the disregard for having enjoyment along the way.
It’s unquestionably important to set goals. But while we travel towards the destination goal, it’s the journey we should be engaged in. That’s accomplished by focusing on the process, not the results. And learning to enjoy the process is critical. Or, as we have all heard, learning to live in this moment.
From the perspective of a baseball pitcher, it’s this pitch. From the perspective of a swimmer, it’s this lap, or even this turn. Not the last pitch, or the next batter, or the score. Not the way you didn’t do as well as you wanted in that last turn. But what’s happening right now, in this moment. And, even more, detaching from outcomes and letting yourself fully engage and enjoy this moment.
Letting Go And Doing Life as Sport
I just finished reading “Life As Sport” by Jonathan Fader. Jonathan is a sports psychologist who has worked with clients in sports, business, and the performing arts. He shares some eye-opening insights into what goes on out there on the mound as the pitcher is grinding out six or seven or nine innings. Including the notion of letting go of everything except the present moment, and literally basking in the enjoyment of it.
There was one take away that I adapted to be easy to remember. Jonathan said, “Life. It’s just a game.” That’s easy to apply to the things we do every day. Life is JUST a game. Nothing more. It just A game. Only one part of something much bigger. Just a GAME. A silly game we come and play, until our nine innings is up.
Learning to savor the each moment can add huge value to our lives that can’t be had in any other way. “Life As Sport” is a surprising session in life coaching that will change the way you look at things. And provide a lasting lesson on remembering to enjoy this pitch. This performance. And yes, even this hug, and this breath of fresh, clean air. Grab a copy, and savor each page as you read it. I’m sure it’ll be one of the volumes you keep on your shelf for a long, long time.
About Jonathan Fader
Dr. Jonathan Fader is a clinical and sport psychologist who works with individuals and organizations to improve performance, motivation and enjoyment. Jonathan is also the team psychologist for the New York Mets and co-founder of Union Square Practice, a leading mental wellness center in New York City.
Images: Baseball Ayolt de Roos
