| I remember like it was yesterday-the very first time | | | | important aspects on the job. It is the difference |
| softball stopped being fun. I was sitting on my bed, | | | | between achievers and slackers. Athletes learn this |
| seven years old, pouting about not getting to play as | | | | lesson early in their careers. They must juggle weight |
| much as the other girls. My father walked in the room, | | | | training, practice, classes, seminars, projects, homework |
| sat next to me, and blatantly said, "Hunny, that is | | | | and professional meetings, without sacrificing their |
| exactly how life really is." Fourteen years later, I have | | | | personal time. |
| discovered the truth in his words. From lessons in team | | | | Surround yourself with other achievers. This concept |
| building and conflict resolutions, to mental toughness | | | | proves true in sports, business, and every component |
| and goal-setting, every aspect of the game prepares | | | | of life. Productive people are going to motivate you, |
| the athlete for the real-world. Athletic competition holds | | | | train with you, and encourage ideas for achievement |
| the key to personal enhancement, and equips athletes | | | | and growth, whether in the workplace or on the field. |
| with tools for business success. | | | | Just do it. Do not make excuses. Athletes and |
| There are two cardinal rules: the team is always first, | | | | business executive alike learn to push through the hard |
| and no one wants to lose. From these rules, leadership | | | | stuff. It is just part of the process. Complaining and |
| capabilities are developed. However, from these rules | | | | stalling are not answers. Actually, in fact, optimism and |
| also stem the importance of having submissive roles | | | | expediency will move you through and into success |
| within the team. A team will never prosper, or win, with | | | | much faster. |
| twelve leaders and no followers. The same concept is | | | | Sell out. In all things, give your all. If you want to be a |
| true of any organization or business. Most athletes | | | | winner, you usually have to sacrifice more than the |
| tend to be natural-born leaders. They must learn to | | | | other guy. The winning dynamics of athletes and |
| become flexible, taking on whatever role is relevant to | | | | successful business people combined is having the |
| the situation and most beneficial to the team. The | | | | ability to demonstrate and employ an outstanding work |
| athlete must humble himself to value the team's | | | | ethic. Boldness and confidence are incredibly important |
| success over any personal recognition. | | | | attributes as well. The ability to take initiative and set |
| Be resilient. Whether in sports, in business, or any other | | | | the bar without holding anything back is admirable and |
| form of competition, you must be willing to fail. You | | | | respectable by all. |
| also must be able to pick yourself back up. The next | | | | Athletes and business people alike know the |
| thing my father said to me after whining that day was, | | | | importance of setting goals, and employing strategies |
| "You're just going to have to get better and move | | | | to accomplish them. Whether the goal is to win a |
| forward." No one can keep you down, but yourself. | | | | national championship or increase revenue sales, the |
| Mental toughness is key here. Athletes and business | | | | principle of setting relevant objectives, strategies, and |
| people alike learn to cope with failures, losses, | | | | tactics for achievement is the universal fundamental |
| setbacks, and injuries. They move forward in resilience, | | | | key to success for both. |
| to compete for the prize. There is no sweet victory, | | | | These lessons learned and lived through in athletic |
| without risk or perseverance endured. | | | | competition prepare the athlete for real-world |
| Time-management is also crucial. Whether a | | | | competition and business dynamics. The life-training |
| high-profile manager or entry-level executive, the ability | | | | skills associated with athletic involvement reap benefits |
| to manage time is absolutely one of the most | | | | far beyond the field. |
