“Where were your feet…?
Shared by Breanne Smedley
The desire to get quick results.
It could be the most distracting thing when trying to make progress towards a goal.
The other day, I was tossing balls for my 12s players to practice their hitting approach.
Although they were practicing the entire skill, we were just focusing on one part.
Their last two steps to the ball.
I didn’t care what their arms were doing. It didn’t matter where they contacted the ball.
And I certainly didn’t care where the ball went.
All that mattered?
That their final two steps planted under the ball so they could jump off two feet with good timing.
But, it never fails.
I toss a ball.
Player does her approach and the last two steps are to the ball.
Ball sails out of bounds.
“Dang it!” She shouts.
“Where were your last two steps?” I ask.
“Ummm…I don’t know.” She responds. “The ball went out!”
“I don’t care that the ball went out. I was looking at your feet. Your last two steps were to the ball, good job! The rest will come later.”
Next player.
I toss the ball. She walks up to it and hammers it into the middle of the net.
“Aw man!!” She exclaims. “Right into the net!”
“But what were your feet doing?” I ask.
Shrugs.
Right about now is where I have to remind myself that I love coaching 12-year-olds.
But the thing is, I see this at all levels that I coach.
And, in my own life.
So distracted by getting the quick result, that we forget to focus on the details. The progress. The sustained effort and focus that it takes to get results over time.
I work out and eat clean for two days in a row.
“Ugh, no six-pack yet. Must not be working!!”
I read a few chapters in a book about breaking the judgment cycle of my inner critic.
“My inner critic is still messing with me! On to the next book.”
The results will come.
But not if we are distracted by getting them right away.
Sustained focus, and effort over time.
It’s not easy.
But it’s what will lead to results.
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#DaringlyResilient
#MindfullyEvolving
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