Be Patient

It is so easy to get caught up in this world of instant gratification through social media and our access to so much content in the palms of our hands. One thing that is getting lost in the world today is the ability to be patient. When you turn on the TV or open up instagram to check out your favorite athlete or team, most of the time you are only seeing the end result. 

People, especially younger athletes, who are trying to become the next Tom Brady, Giannis or whoever their favorite athlete might be, never get to see the countless hours these athletes put in off the field or court. Yes, these athletes might post videos of themselves training but that is just a sample of how they became successful. If you take the two examples of Brady and Giannis, their stories are well documented. One who was overlooked based on his aesthetics and the other who had potential, but was not proven yet. Both of these athletes are champions in their own respective sports, but one thing they have in common is they were both patient. Brady had to sit behind a vet before he was given his opportunity, and it took Giannis almost 5 years before he hit his stride. What both of these men did was patiently wait for their opportunity to utilize the work they had been putting in behind the scenes. 

A pretty common quote in sports is “if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” Not only does that quote reign true for sports, but in aspects of life as well. The best lawyers and doctors have to go through years of schooling before they become proficient at their craft and have to continue to put in the work to stay at the top of their fields. When we start to appreciate the importance of being patient then we can understand that reaching your goals takes time and effort. You won’t hit all of your fitness goals after one week, your jump shot won’t get better after one day of practice, you won’t know all of your opponents’ weaknesses after one day of film study. Be patient, take the time to perfect your craft and don’t rush because you might not be where someone else is in life. We all have our own speed, so take your time and find what works for you. Most people have heard the quote “patience is a virtue” but what does that really mean? It means setting standards or goals for yourself and seeing them through. Be patient. 

Spencer Haywoods
M.S CSCS