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Unleashing Success Together
You should always feel encouraged when other people experience success, not discouraged. Just because someone else succeeds doesn’t mean you can’t as well.
When I played football, if I wasn’t in the game and another running back was performing well, I never got upset, jealous, or discouraged about not playing. I would be happy for their success. I’d get encouraged because I knew that if they were able to succeed on the field, I could achieve the same, if not more.
When you see someone doing something in life that you’d like to achieve, whether they’re a peer or a competitor, just know that you can attain the same level of success. Let their accomplishments serve as an example of what’s possible.
We can all succeed in life. Success is not a limited resource. Be encouraged when others find their success, and know that yours will come too.
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Actions Speak Gratitude
Sometimes, as a spouse, partner, teammate, or collaborator, the best way to show gratitude for someone’s efforts is to reciprocate with the same energy.
As a new parent, you don’t get as much rest as you once did. You learn on the go and have to divide your energy between your new life and maintaining the life you had before. There are times when the baby is fussy, and my wife is the one who gets up to soothe and put the baby back to sleep. It’s the small things like this that truly matter, especially when I’d rather be sleeping at 3 am.
To show my gratitude as a husband, father, and teammate, I can tell my wife thank you, but I can also be more considerate of her need for rest and offer my help. I can step up and do anything and everything that could make her life a little bit easier.
My mom paid for me to attend a private school from 7th grade to 12th grade. She had to work two jobs, often back to back, to help pay for my tuition. In gratitude, I worked hard and made sure she wouldn’t have to pay a dollar for my college tuition. I earned a full-ride scholarship and even sent money back home using my scholarship checks and financial aid refund.
I know my mom didn’t pay for my education just for a “thank you.” Similarly, my wife doesn’t go above and beyond for our baby expecting only gratitude. It’s about doing what you believe is right and putting everyone in the best position to succeed. It’s also about doing your part, fulfilling your end of the bargain, and expressing gratitude through actions.
Sometimes, despite receiving a “thank you,” it’s easy to feel underappreciated. But as they say, actions speak louder than words.
Ultimately, we are all God’s children, and He does the most for us at all times. He is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. We can thank Him for everything He does in our lives by the way we live our lives.
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Coach, Respect, Growth
There are times as a football player when it feels like your coach is overcoaching you or even miscoaching you. They might try to blame you or correct something that they think you’ve done wrong, when in reality, you weren’t in the wrong.
In those situations, instead of having a rebuttal or trying to tell your coach that perhaps they might be wrong in this situation, the best thing you can do is listen, then say, “Yes, coach,” and leave it at that.
Whether it’s a sport or just life in general, sometimes your coach, parents, supervisor, or anyone in authority over you, their guidance might be incorrect or unnecessary, but it’s important to maintain your respect for the person as well as avoid any conflict that will be counterproductive.
It’s similar to the quote “Never outshine your master.” You should not try to show off or be better than the person who is teaching or guiding you. It’s important to respect their knowledge and authority while learning from them.
It’s a humbling thing to do at times, especially when you know you’re right, but even that humbling experience will make you a better athlete or person. You’ll know how to interact with authority better and how to continue to improve, even if coached the wrong way.
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Embrace Perspective, Overcome Struggles
No matter what you’re struggling with or going through, there’s somebody out there going through worse.
Just because they are going through worse doesn’t mean they are doing worst.
Appreciate where you currently are in life and also know that there is still a lot that can be accomplished right now in your current situation.
Keep things in perspective and know that whatever it is that you’re going through is temporary with the right actions and faith.
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Remote Mentorship
You don’t necessarily have to know your mentors well. Many of my mentors are individuals I have never even met.
Sometimes it may be unrealistic to meet them in person at the moment. You might not have anyone around you who is pursuing the same goals as you or can assist you in reaching them.
The good thing is that there are millions of books, numerous videos, interviews, and other resources available on the internet. Nowadays, you don’t have to personally know someone for them to mentor you.
You will be influenced and guided by someone regardless, so it’s wise to deliberately choose who that person is.
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Belief-driven Achievement
Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” Your belief in your abilities determines your success or failure.
The same principle applies to pursuing our goals and living the life we desire. Often, we may feel like we’re making progress, but it’s essential to recognize that our perception can be subjective.
It’s crucial to honestly evaluate our actions and consider the insights of those who can assist us. Ultimately, being self-aware and open to guidance will help us navigate the right path towards our aspirations.
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Choosing Life’s Path
Life is composed of a series of “if, then” statements. If you do this, then that will be the outcome. The positive aspect is that God has granted us free will, allowing us to choose our own “if, then” statements.
When I attended college, I understood that if I took certain courses and achieved specific grades, then I would graduate in 4 years. I adhered to that statement, and indeed, I obtained my degree. I realize that I can apply this approach to anything I wish to accomplish in life.
Therefore, all I need to do is identify my goals and determine the necessary steps to achieve them. It is important to note that “if, then” statements yield different outcomes when negated.
For instance, “If you do not take the correct classes and fail to obtain passing grades, you will not graduate.” By examining both our successes and failures, we can make the necessary adjustments in our lives. Success can be assured, as can failure. The choice, ultimately, rests with you.
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Balanced Life Breaks
No matter what you’re doing in life, make sure to plan a day off.
Working out is crucial for our physical health, but having days of rest in your weekly schedule is just as important as the days when you do work out. When working, there are rules and laws that require employees to have a day off. You might even be in a relationship and need a day off away from your significant other, LOL.
Regardless of the situation, make sure that you give your best effort and work hard, but always prioritize rest and relaxation. Anything that produces energy can also produce too much of that energy and cause burnout. We are the same way.
You might feel like you don’t want to continue working out, working, going to school, or whatever else you have to do, but it might just be that you are burning yourself out. Slow and steady wins the race. Take the necessary breaks when needed and keep going after that. You got it.
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Building Success: Practice & Confidence
Practice over time equals confidence.
Confidence multiplied by actions, over time, equals success.
Find your insecurities, weaknesses, and flaws, and work on them. Build them up over time through practice.
Eventually, you will become more confident. Take that confidence into whatever you do, whether it’s playing a sport, going on a date, public speaking, school, or anything else.
Do it consistently with unwavering faith in God and yourself, and you will find success—whatever “success”means to you. Once you achieve that success, pay it forward and help others.
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Adapting Life’s Plans
Last night, before going to bed, I made plans for my morning.
Firstly, I planned to wake up early before dawn. After that, I planned to do a few things that bring me happiness as well as productivity.
Everything was going as planned until my baby daughter decided she wanted to wake up early as well. Me being the great dad and loving husband that I am, I took the baby to the other room with me so that my wife could get more uninterrupted sleep.
Though I wasn’t able to do many things that I planned this morning, spending that precious time with my daughter was worth the trade. Sometimes things won’t go as planned, but it’s the thought and effort that count.
I’m proud of myself for having a plan and following through. Things might not always go as planned, and that’s okay. I’d be more disappointed in myself if I made all these plans the night before and didn’t even bother to wake up at a decent enough time to achieve all my tasks.
Take action, control what you can control, and make the proper adjustments when obstacles arise.
FLY, BLACK BOY 