Battling Through Life's Adversity: A Lesson Through My Son

Living in Maryland, where lacrosse is the state sport, the competition is intense. In our area, if you don't make a club team, recreational league options are limited. The environment is cut-throat, with parents and coaches making it clear that this is a business, not a friendship. I don't recall having to try out every year at such a young age, feeling like a college-level athlete. The pressure can negatively impact self-esteem, anxiety, and confidence in kids.

Watching your child face adversity is one of the hardest things for a parent. Knowing how challenging the lacrosse tryout scene is, I encouraged my son to run daily and practice for 20 minutes. However, he was in full summer mode—sleeping in, going to the pool, and watching his phone. Despite my attempts to motivate him, a month passed with little progress.

At tryouts, over 80 kids showed up, and it was evident my son hadn't put in the work. He came home sad and started criticizing himself for being lazy. Instead of letting him dwell on the negatives, I introduced him to Jocko Willink's "GOOD" mantra. Didn't make the lacrosse club team? Good—more time to work out. Not as big as the other kids? Good—let's hit the gym.

Yesterday morning, we refocused, re-engaged, and attacked our goals. The journey ahead will be tough, but there are invaluable life lessons in this adversity. Through this experience, I hope to help my son build an indestructible mindset to overcome any obstacle.

Embracing the Journey

This experience has reinforced the importance of resilience and a positive mindset. As leaders, whether in business or life, we face challenges that test our resolve. How we respond to these challenges shapes our character and defines our success.

By embracing adversity and viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth, we can inspire those around us to do the same. Let's encourage each other to turn obstacles into stepping stones and build the strength to tackle any challenge head-on.

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