I hope you’ve had a great start to the new year! I also hope that you’re sticking with any goals and initiatives you began going into 2022.
Reflecting on my personal goals and what I want to accomplish this year, I can’t help but think about how important it is to stick with what I’ve set out to do. As I thought about my previous milestones, some of which I achieved, and some I’m still striving for, I couldn’t help but think about times in my life when I learned something and become better as a result.
That is what I wanted to talk about today… assuming the positive.
Sometimes, in both soccer and life, there are situations and circumstances that seem unfair, too hard, or even impossible. In these situations, you will often feel the need to complain, doubt yourself, or even give up. Feelings like these are never pleasant! They certainly aren’t for me.
REFRAMING
What if we worked to reframe theses situations. Instead of thinking, “Why is this happening TO me?”, think, “Why is this happening FOR me?” It’s a small shift. Exchanging TO, for FOR! But it can make a huge impact! I believe challenge and difficulty are in our lives to better us and make us unstoppable.
Have you ever imagined yourself thriving in a challenging environment? While it will be hard, imagine how proud of yourself you will feel after you have finished. In the end, it isn’t so much about the outcome as it is about the lessons you learned throughout the process. Instead of automatically dreading what a tough time might bring, why not try to assume the positive?
What if you could see every situation and circumstance with a wholehearted sense of how it is here to help you grow, improve, and become the person you were meant to be? That would be pretty amazing, wouldn’t it? Most of the things that we worry and stress over never happen, and we all would be better off assuming the positive more often. It takes practice. It’s been an intentional practice of mine for the last several years.
Even though I still get frustrated, upset, sad, and even doubtful at times, I’m much more aware of those emotions and thoughts! My ability to recognize those negative thoughts enables me to quickly change my perspective to, “Brandt, this is here to help you, not hurt you!”
I like to remind myself often that…
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”
Ultimately, if we aren’t challenged, then we aren’t making mistakes.
If we don’t make mistakes, then we don’t learn.
If we aren’t learning, then we aren’t improving!
So be bold! Expect the best! Run toward your fear! Try new things, make mistakes, learn and grow!
PRACTICE ‘Assuming the Positive’ when you go into your next practice, game, class, conference, or presentation in order to set yourself up for success. In the event that things don’t go as well as you expected, try to reframe the negativity that comes to mind! Focus on what you learned from the experience. Never forget, and remind yourself often, that life is always happening FOR you!
Assume the positive! You’ll be much happier you did. Keep Grinding!
“Optimize your mind for your grind!”
Brandt Bronico
Charlotte FC #13
#BloggingBronicosBrain