Staying humble and grounded has become increasing difficult with the instant feedback in today’s society. This is a direct result of our online/social media presence allowing instant input on accomplishments and ability of athletes. In this world, an athletes greatness, and mistakes, are constantly put on display for everyone’s viewing and commenting pleasure. As a result, it’s important for athletes to keep these interactions in perspective and even try to avoid or block out some of the interactions all together. An athletes online/social media presence can be complicated and ugly but it’s largely unavoidable today.
Social Media: Blessing or Curse
Social media is both a blessing and a curse for athletes. On the positive side, it has made it easier for athletes with collegiate aspirations to get noticed. It also allows them to interact with coaches and programs across the country. If used the right way, this can be a powerful tool for athletes to showcase their athletic talents. It can also be effective at letting coaches get to know athletes better on a personal level, providing insight into their character and integrity.
Although, with the positives, there are the negatives. The instant feedback and attention that social media can generate for athletes can impact their overall mindset. This feedback can be positive or negative, impacting their ability to stay humble or to maintain/grow their confidence. This article will focus on staying humble through online/social media influence that props up the athlete, giving them an inflated sense of themselves and their abilities.
Staying humble when the world around you thinks you’re great:
1. Remember, You didn’t get here by Yourself
Greatness is achieved by teams regardless of the sport. It takes a team of people to build a person to greatness. Behind every great athlete, there are parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers and/or other mentors that helped them along the way. Be grateful to those who have helped you and always give credit where credit is due.
2. Trust in Those That Have YOUR Best Interest at Heart!
A lot of people may think they know what is best for you or what you should be hearing, but only trust the input from those around you that have your best interest at heart. Choose wisely who you listen to! Find people that tell you the truth even when it’s hard for you to hear it. Surround yourself with people that bring positivity to your life with little or no drama. And above all else, trust in those that know and appreciate you for who you are, not what you can do for them.
3. No Matter What, You don’t Know Everything!
This speaks for itself, no matter how good you are at something or how great somebody tells you that you are, there is always something to learn or something to improve. Therefore, we must never stop looking to get better, personally and athletically. Everyday you must grow in one way or another, without continuous growth, your full potential is never realized.
4. Staying Humble, there is Always Somebody Better
There is always somebody better than you or somebody that is working to be better. You’re never the greatest, and if you are, you won’t be for long. Also, if you think you’re the best, it’s very likely you won’t continue to work with same tenacity. Remember, it’s that tenacity with which you’ve worked that has got you to where you are, stay humble and keep pushing!
5. Give Thanks to God
We all have talents that are a gift from God. Perhaps you are gifted athletically, academically, musically or something different. Regardless of your gift, just be thankful for those gifts no matter what they are and don’t let them go to waste. God has provided you with specific talents, develop them and use them.
Staying Humble isn’t just for Athletes
Staying humble is important in all walks of life. No matter what you do or who you are, humility is one of the most important traits that you can possess. We should all want to be our best ever day but we don’t need to act like we’re the best. Be great but don’t act like you’re great! Act as if you’re at the bottom and work as if you’re at the bottom. To achieve true greatness, staying humble is required!
We want to build leaders, leaders that are never stop pursuing greatness. We want to build leaders that people follow by choice, not by influence! Be great, just don’t act like it!
BtL
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