These posts are part of a series in which we examine three of the major understandings that are required of athletes in competition that also apply readily to the search for fulfillment and success in life after sports. Ultimately, while there are challenges in adapting to life after competition, we are equipped by our experiences with tools that will help us to make this a successful transition.
Part 3: Preparing to Succeed
We learn the value of physical, mental, emotional and tactical preparation in producing desired outcomes, particularly during intense or fast-paced events.
The legendary football coach Bill Walsh was well known for the detail of his pre-game planning. He felt as if he could make better decisions in the film room and ahead of time than he could in the midst of a game. As a result, he and his staff would prepare extensive play scripts and call sheets that were used throughout the game, and gave them an edge in a wide variety of situations. This has now become commonplace in most football game planning of almost every level. It’s also not restricted to football. Most sports, in fact, assume a high level of preparation and tactical decision-making, varying from in-depth study of court and field conditions, weather factors, and variations in tactics or strategy. By developing an understanding of a tactical approach to competition, we increase our capacity to execute that strategy. All competitors experience this in some form or another. That expectation is another of the gifts we receive from our participation.
Preparation is certainly a part of the functioning of any successful organization, but for people who don’t bring life experiences that illustrate the value of it, that kind of forethought is something that has to be learned. The competitive athlete grows up with it, both in their own training and in the type of tactical game planning that is expected in our world. It translates readily to the world of work, to any kind of academic pursuits, as well as to finding success in life in a broader sense. Moving forward with some form of contingency plan is an effective way to ensure positive outcomes in financial planning, adjustments to significant life events, or overcoming challenges throughout life.
While we may not always connect this concept of ‘prepare and execute’ to the larger scope of life, it is absolutely a part of how we think. We are introduced to it at even the simplest levels of competition, and it is always present as we rise through the levels. Think back to the earliest levels of baseball or softball – one of the first things we learn is when to throw a ball to which base, depending on where base runners are and how many outs there may be. It’s simple situational logic, and yet there are countless six and seven year old children learning to apply that kind of game planning to their sport. It forms their responses under pressure, and it forms their understanding of how best to prepare for that pressure outside of sport as well.
Preparation and strategy are a part of most successful organizations beyond the world of sport, but just as the other two gifts discussed in this series, the value for and approach to this process are a part of the thought processes of athletes at their very earliest stages. By being aware of that quality and using it wherever possible, we can increase our effectiveness in many other areas beyond sports.They are also at the heart of any effort to build in fulfilling experiences to our lives when our competitive years come to an end.
While this series is intended to highlight three of the more prominent gifts that we bring away from life as a competitive athlete, it is by no means an exhaustive list. Different sports, different people, and different circumstances produce different results. One of the goals of Competitor Shift is to begin with the commonalities and expand our discussions to include the personal experiences of athletes in their own unique experiences. Please feel free to join in and expand our understanding of the topic.