Sunday, February 17, 2019

"Is Your Fortess Made of Milestones"


As I set the tone for this blog site... We all remember some of our first accomplishments. First date with that girl or guy, First kiss and how scary and exciting it was at the same time. And many others that you have experienced and some that you will experience sooner or later in life. These idea create the framework for our lives. They can tell the chronological story of who we are and in some case shape our future plans and what we as individuals want to accomplish in our life. These first experiences have the ability to impact each of us to our core, and they can shape our ideas.

As a ninth grader I liked to play basketball. I played high school and city league basketball. I wasn't the best at the game but I always gave my best even when I knew I wasn't as good as some of the others on the teams... I had one my most impactful milestone when I was playing park and recreational basketball  in ninth grade. I was playing against one of my best friends and he was doing great that game. Even for a 9th grader he was really accurate with the deep corner shot. I was a center because I was bulky and somewhat tall. My milestone was scripted like the pages of a book or a feel good movie. I caught the ball and took the shot with only a few seconds left on the clock and we won the game. This win allowed us to play in the city championship game where we were handed our butts by the opposing team. The point of this story is not the fact of making the winning basket so that we could play in the final game. This milestone was impactful because it told me a few things about myself that at that time I could not/or would not ever had believed. That moment into that night and everyday after that moment. I never again doubted myself as an athlete, as a student  and as a person. I actually realized that I had goals that I could achieve if I had a few things I my corner: a good support, a good plan and mental toughness. Now these ideas have morphed  over the years, but the basis of the idea remains elementary and unforgettable.

Good support: whether it is a coach family or a friend that brings out the competition and drive to be better. a good support will always see your real effort. they will be helpful and not critical, suggestive and not bossy and make fun of you after they have helped you to become better.

Good plan: whether it is ideas scribbled on paper or a step by step checklist of events situations or tools needed, a good plan is necessary. You have to know where you are going and sometimes we need a good map to get us there...your plan for success is like your road map. Doesn't have to be completely accurate , but it has to take you somewhere or someplace different than where you are.

Mental toughness: Not allowing the negative thoughts of other and their opinions to direct or misguide us from our goals. A lot of time we share our goals with those we think we trust and their response is: "Why do you want to do that , or that is stupid"... I can go on. "Why not try this instead" this allows them to claim your success as theirs or keeps you from wanting that success because they do not have the support, plan, or mental toughness to make it happen for themselves.  You have to see beyond your critics...

In closing, make your milestones in life impactful and valuable...use them to create the fortress of success you have always dreamed of having for yourself. What are some of your milestones you have achieved?

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