What I Learned From My Daughter Playing Sports

One of my favorite song lyrics is “Always gonna be another mountain, I’m always gonna want to make it move, always going to be an uphill battle, sometimes I’m gonna have to lose.”

The other night I watched my daughter Jessie play her last soccer game which ended in a loss to a young and scrappy Nolensville team. I keep picturing her little face when she first started playing; eager and excited. She always wanted to be in the game. I remember when she was on the sidelines, she’d be jogging in place because she wanted to go back in.?After years of hard work, dedication, many successes, championships, as well as some disappointments and hard lessons, she is hanging up her cleats. Here is why I’m one proud mama and why these life lessons can inspire you.

?From the beginning, you took on new challenges with positivity, eagerness and curiosity. This is how you should face all your new beginnings and challenges. Life is going to throw you some that you want and some that you don’t. Don’t be afraid to start over. Don’t worry if you are not the best from the start. There is magic in coming through adversity and creating something new. Facing life with positivity and curiosity will take you very far.

You worked hard on your own, honing and improving your skills, even when no one else was watching. You leveled up in skills by always wanting to be better. This is so important in the workforce. Don’t settle for the status quo. Keep working hard, keep honing your skills and keep your eyes on roles that will help broaden your experience. You will determine your path by being eager to learn and by taking chances. No one is going to magically make things happen for you if you don’t work hard. Stay agile, keep developing and take your destiny into your own hands. Your career will be driven by you, so take the reins and don’t shy away from the big jobs.?

You faced adversity and instead of playing small and being afraid, you played bigger and took more chances. If I could bottle one lesson, it would be this one. Life is going to throw resistance at you in many forms, including failure and reasons why you should not succeed. You faced rejection from a coach who could not see your value. This happens to us all in life. You stepped up and asked for specifics on why. You got the feedback, worked harder, and didn’t let that define you. We always talked about using setbacks as fuel. Taste that bitter taste for a moment to remember it but then let it go and let it light a fire under you to move beyond it.??

You were a great teammate, always the first to pick up someone else when down. Now you need to let others do that for you too. In life, we can be afraid to ask for help. This is the biggest mistake humans make on teams and as individuals. You know how it feels to lend a helping hand. Let others do this for you too. Asking for help is a strength and a skill, not a weakness. We aren’t meant to do life alone and have all the answers. You will be an even better leader when you let people in to help.

?You knew when to move on to something else. This may be the hardest for me as your mom. Knowing when to transition to your next role, step or destination is something most adults struggle with. You had dreams to play in college, as did we. There were some offers but they didn’t match your ambitions for the size and type of school YOU wanted and the experience you desired. You stood strong in your decision even though your parents would have loved to see you play. For this, I am most proud. Knowing yourself and knowing where you want to go in life and not being afraid to do it. Taking the next step from a place of strength versus fear is a lesson for us all. This is the stuff we should dream of as parents, not athletic success. And this is how I know you will be just fine in this life. You have a dream. You have developed your voice. Now go find your purpose as you learn more about yourself in college!

?And, if you are still with me. People are resigning in great numbers. You may have even heard the term, “The Great Resignation.” For some, this is a positive thing, just like quitting soccer is for Jessie. If you are thinking about this, make sure you are rooted in your own purpose and values and how they mesh with an employer. Does that company have a compelling mission that you align with or is it just your ego wanting to show you can earn more or get that title? It may seem trendy to find another employer and we all need a paycheck to live. However, I have heard from so many people that they now regret this decision because they are running to a paycheck versus finding a company that matches their values and purpose in life. We hear from those who leave SmileDirectClub,?that they miss our culture because we are mission-based, inclusive, agile, growing, collaborative and give everyone a voice at the table. Take the time to consider what’s important to you before jumping. Because finding your place and truly belonging based on your values and purpose and having the opportunity to grow every day is priceless.