What’s up, Everyone! Charlotte FC midfielder Brandt Bronico here. Coming at you with my weekly blog, Blogging Bronico’s Brain.
Hopefully all of you are staying committed to your new year’s resolutions in one way or another. But, if you haven’t, the good news is that you can always start again today if you’ve gotten off track!
Just don’t hesitate. NOW is the perfect time to reclaim your resolution. You can do this!
Let’s get down to business.
Last week, I began preseason with Charlotte FC, and so far it’s been fantastic. Some things, like snow/weather, were beyond our control, which delayed some testing and training. However, we all managed to complete it on time together. When everyone works together, which was exactly what we did, so much more can be accomplished. This leads me to what I want to discuss today: the power of preseason.
When someone asks you about preseason, what comes to mind?
Do you have negative thoughts first? Do you focus on how much you run, lift, and how hard you have to work? Could it be that you’re nervous about a new year? I can understand why you would think that way. A new year means a new start, and with anything new, there is always change. Unfortunately, as human beings, we tend to resist change.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! Don’t let your mind automatically drift towards these negative, anxious thoughts and feelings!
There’s a better way! And all it takes is a simple change of perspective.
A Change of Perspective
Pre-season is such a powerful time of year. It’s a great test, or training, if you will, that will propel you toward your goals. Additionally, it’s a good way to determine how well you’ve prepared for the next season in the “off-season” (I used quotation marks because this is the time to prepare for the next season)! If there is one thing I like better than thinking and writing my goals down, it is taking positive action towards them. Pre-season is the perfect time to take those steps! It is an exciting time where…
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You get to meet and play with teammates who have similar goals.
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You get to test your fitness threshold in fitness challenges and conditioning.
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You get to test your strength in the gym workouts.
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You get to demonstrate your technical skills that help you play the game you love.
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Notice how I said ‘get to’ and not ‘have to’?
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Perspective makes all the difference! It’s such a blessing that we all get to play the game we love while challenging our mental, technical, and physical abilities. Personally, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. And even better, you get to share it with your teammates! The guys and gals you’ll compete with every week to try to raise a trophy at the end of the year. Battling with and for your teammates makes the journey so much more rewarding and fulfilling.
Challenges Are The Way To Success
There will be a lot of challenges during pre-season, but remember, if it doesn’t challenge us, it won’t change us. Work to embrace every stage of your life as a challenge to become a better version of yourself than the one before.
All in all, pre-season offers a unique opportunity for growth, building, molding, and learning about yourself, your teammates, and all those around you. Take that opportunity and make the most of it! Every training session, aim to be better than you were the previous training session. Communicate with your teammates and build chemistry. Pre-season is the foundation of the regular season, so it is imperative that you put your best foot forward. I believe in you. Keep Grinding!
“Optimize your mind for your grind!”
By Brandt Bronico
Charlotte FC
#bloggingbronicosbrain