Believing Can Break Through Barriers

Her dad spent her entire life coaching travel softball. Despite their close relationship, she never shared his passion for the sport. She had played soccer until she was 12, but when she quit, her parents insisted she take up another sport. She started practicing softball with her dad, even though she struggled initially, especially against girls who had been playing for years and were training for college-level competition.

After a year of intense practice, it was time for high school tryouts for the prestigious varsity travel team. The girls she had been practicing with for the past year had already made the regular high school team, and it was assumed they would also secure spots on the varsity squad. She felt decent about the tryouts but was still anxious.

On the final day, they received the results in sealed letters to be opened at home. When she opened hers, she was crushed to find that she hadn't made the team. All her hard work seemed to have been in vain.

Her dad asked whether she wanted to quit or work harder for the next year. Despite her initial desire to give up, she chose to persevere...

She was upset and embarrassed that night, worrying about what others would think. But the next morning, she resolved to continue. She spent the year practicing tirelessly with her dad, going to the batting cages every night, and feeling isolated as her friends joined the team she had aspired to be on.

The following year, she returned for tryouts as a junior, this time with a new team of younger players. She was overly critical of herself, but her friends encouraged her. On the fourth day, she received the same kind of letter as the previous year. She was shaking as she opened it and was overjoyed to see that she had made the team, not just as a member but as the starting center fielder and number 3 in the lineup.

She pulled into the driveway, waving the letter to her dad in the garage. They ran to each other, hugging and crying tears of joy. He was incredibly proud of her hard work and determination.

Now, she understands that believing in herself, making sacrifices to achieve her goals, and having support is a great combination to make things happen. She applies this to many aspects of her life and realizes the adversity she dealt with provided her with lifelong lessons.

**This is a real story from someone who may be your friend or sitting beside you. I learned from her and I hope you did as well.

There were times I would study 10-12 hours a day in medical school.

I had something to study and work for.

I learned the hard way in entrepreneurship because in building a company there aren’t books to study and guidelines to follow.

It’s a different kind of skill and mentality to learn and grow.

This is why I emphasize:

??Mentorship- it pushes us to reflect on our thoughts, teach them, and adapt to how it is received by others.

??Daily learning- there isn't an option to rely on yesterday's knowledge, because it may not apply to today.

??Feedback- it's a resource that is waiting to help you learn and grow, but it does require asking and listening.

??Consistency- make the above actions a habit and celebrate it when you realize how much you have learned.

These pillars give us a real shot at success in building something meaningful, but it is also what we can help lead and guide for others.

Leadership can start with the actions we do for ourselves and empowering others to do the same.

The effort for my physical health has improved my mental health.

I started tracking my daily steps this year and it’s significantly shifted the way I work and live. I used a Fitbit Inspire but there are many ways to track our steps.

??? What we measure we can improve.

What was probably 3-4k steps is now 12-15k steps a day.

What else has shifted from walking more? I am walking in nature more, I’m seeing more people out and about, and I feel accomplished and proud as I am moving.

Walking has opened up my world to good physical and mental health. When we say invest in yourself, it can be something we pay attention to and be accountable for.

What have you been measuring?

Here's to a productive and fulfilling month!