In this installment of the Mindful Athlete we take a look at the concept of Drive. Anyone can say they are driven or motivated. But do they know what it is? To me, drive is the ability to work your hardest every single day. Whether that be in the weight room, the practice field, or the mind. A person who is driven will do everything they can each and every single day to get better. The person who is driven won’t complain, won’t give up, and most importantly won’t let other people affect their motivation. Drive is essential to becoming the best person that you can be. I found my drive in going to the gym. The gym provided an outlet for me to vent and work hard. It also taught me the importance of being disciplined. I set high goals for myself. When you set a goal it gives you something to work towards. Drive allows you to reach those goals. Even when the going gets tough, someone who wants to work will get what needs to be done not because they want to but because they need to. When you are driven it becomes a necessity to get better because you have goals you want to achieve. I attribute my success to my drive. I wouldn’t be where I am today without finding that motivation and finding that ability to push through even when I didn’t want to.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
All great things require great people in a collaborative effort. To be one of the best you need to have people around you that support you to be your best. I know from experience that when it feels like no one is there for you it makes it that much harder to succeed on the field. On the flip side, I felt the impact of having people there for me. It makes such a tremendous difference in mental health and also results in the field. Something that has stuck out to me is a quote from Kobe. He talks about how he played in a summer league that his dad and his grandfather were considered legends in. But he was horrible, he didn’t score a single point. So his dad, asked him why he was so upset, and Kobe told him that it was because he didn’t score. Then his dad hugged him and told him, “Listen, whether you score 0 or score 60, I’m gonna love you no matter what.” Wow, powerful right? Everyone has parents that love them and care for them. They want you to succeed. It may not seem like it but they are going to be there for you all the way. A community extends to other family members and friends. It can also include coaches and trainers. Coaches and trainers are key components of success. They provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Our community of individuals provides the baseline for success. They are our safety net when we fail and also our pedestals when we succeed. Take some time to thank those around you that have gotten you to where you are today.
Helen Keller
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Photo Credits -
Los Angeles Times - Ali
New York Times - Bolt
CNN - Messi
Washington Post - Brady
Britannica - Gretzky
Baseball HOF - Ruth
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