I FINALLY MADE THE CONNECTION...HAVE YOU?

Everyone has the ability to fight.  Everyone has the ability to step their game up and do “more” but will they decide too?  Whether your fight is on the sports field, on or in the court, boardroom, classroom, or streets, you have a choice to make, and what you decide will either put you in a better or worse position when the next fight comes.

Growing up, I heard SOME coaches say sports is an example of life.  I heard that sports were a great way to get ready for life, but I don't recall my parents making the connection.  I had a hard time figuring out how sports and life connected.  I saw some examples at times in my life but I did not really think that sport was life.  A part of me actually thought that once I was done with playing competitively, nothing would bother me.  Imagine how I felt when I realized I was wrong. Fortunately, I realized I could compete in a different arena, so I moved on to my next fight looking to conquer and dominate.  A number of people who are and are not athletes missed the connection of the importance of sport and how it prepares us for life.  If the connection is ever made, the purpose they found in sport can be transferred from inside to outside the lines to create a life filled with purpose and meaning. 
 
The military is all about preparation, efficiency, and getting the most out of their soldiers while giving them purpose.  The soldier’s goal is to be the best he or she can be and accepts the challenges that are presented.  Sports allows for this type of growth in an environment catered for the development of our children.  Sport in essence is the military for kids.  It can teach kids the same concepts without their lives being on the line.  Playing sports is fun, but sports will play with emotions regardless of if you are coaching, an athlete, a parent or fan.  Sport is innocent and a bit predictable the younger the child, but the pool gets bigger as the child gets older.   As the child get older, the playing time is less guaranteed and the questions that is magnified is how prepared is my child?  

The focus of the military is to be prepared for anything.  How prepared is the child when it is time to compete?
 
When sport is implemented into a child’s life correctly, it can teach discipline, consistency, sacrifice, competition, accountability, individuality while still understanding the importance of team, controlling emotions and behavior, how to grow and maintain relationships, perseverance and how to communicate and respond under pressure situations.  Of course, there are more concepts but the point is whatever the child does whether it is a sport or not, treat it as if it were a sport.  Sports builds character and strong individuals.
 
Instill a healthy competition into whatever a child does to build their character and prepare them for what life will throw at them.  Children who are encouraged to compete learn to deal with and handle challenges and understand that life is not always easy.  Children who go on and compete in college are less prone to commit suicide.  The suicide rate in NCAA athletes appears to be at a lower rate than the general and collegiate population of the similar age according to Sports Health. If we are able to nurture the child while teaching them how to compete and help them find their purpose, life will have meaning and life will be worth competing for.  
 
For many of us it is hard to see connections in the midst of trials and turmoil.  When adversity hits, it hits hard.  Game Speed is a blog that is focused on connecting life, sports and business together to find your purpose and help you deal with adversity.  If we are able to help anyone regardless of age to find their purpose and find meaning and connect their lives to their purpose, we have done our job.  It took some of us years to understand, connect, and find our purpose, let’s make sure the future generations understand, connect and find their purpose quicker than we did. 
 
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