Do you ever feel like everything around you is out of your control?
Maybe you aren’t playing as much as you want to. Or your teachers scheduled four tests in one week on top of having practice and games. Or it could be something as simple as sitting in traffic while you’re rushing to practice so you’re not late.
I think we’ve all been there! I certainly have.
Life can be overwhelming at times, but it’s NEVER out of your control.
Now, I’m sure you’re asking yourself,“Brandt, are you serious? We can’t control everything! You literally just said it in one of your blogs the other week.”
And you’re right. I definitely did say that, but just hear me out. You certainly can’t control where the coach plays you. Or when there’s going to be bad traffic. You can’t control a lot in life. But, you can ALWAYS control your response.
Read that again – YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR RESPONSE!
The root of what I’m getting at is all about taking responsibility. You, me, we all need to take responsibility for our decisions and actions. This is crucial for growth. It’ll give you the sense and belief that you’re in control of your destiny. You are, not anyone else!
You’re presented with choices and decisions everyday. And with choices comes responsibilities!
Here are some decisions you’ve made as a soccer player:
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What sport YOU choose to play.
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What Youth Club YOU decide to play for.
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What Professional Soccer Player(s) YOU look up to.
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What college YOU decide to play for.
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How YOU prepare for each game and training session.
What’s one commonality within each of those statements?
You got it, YOU!
The Choice is YOURS!
You have to take responsibility for the decisions you make about your career (and in all of life)! Maybe you don’t like what position you’re playing or the club you’re playing for. Maybe you don’t like the amount of playing time you’re getting at the school you decided to commit to. Those are difficult things to face. I don’t want to minimize those struggles in the least. They are hard. But, how are you responding? What are YOU doing and/or going to do about it? The choice is yours!
I’m definitely not saying that you should change clubs, change schools, or quit altogether. It’s way more complicated than that. But I am saying that if there’s something that you’re unhappy about, it’s up to YOU to change it!
Whenever I’m in these situations, I like to tell myself: “The grass isn’t greener on the other side. It’s greener where you water it!”
It’s time for you to water the grass on your side!
No more excuses, no more complaining, and no more criticizing! Take responsibility for what you have and where you are and make the absolute best of it moving forward!
You got this, because there’s something inside of YOU, inside all of us, that’s greater than any obstacle!
“Optimize your mind for your Grind”
Brandt Bronico
Charlotte FC
Blogging Bronico’s Brain
Soccer Resilience®: Our mission and skill is to train the most underutilized competitive edge in soccer, the MIND, transforming the mindset, performance and wellbeing of athletes, coaches and parents. We help the “software” (mental) bring the best out of the “hardware” (technical, tactical, physical). Our founders include a World Cup Champion, a MLS Cup Champion, a 20-year Psychologist and former NCAA Division I Coach/Pro Team President. We are mindset coaches, mental game advisors and content providers for tools and strategies for all levels, youth to pro. Train your brain. Transform your game…and life.