Beyond the Finish Line

Being an athlete or coach is a journey filled with victories, defeats, and everything in between. The pressure to perform, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the camaraderie with teammates create a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. Amidst this whirlwind is the ever-present pursuit of personal fulfillment.

Whether on or off the field, it’s crucial to be fully present with the people and environments around us. By engaging with the present moment, we prevent our thoughts from wandering into mistakes of the past or worries of the future. Rather than improve our performance, such ruminations can instead harm performance, as discussed in this podcast with sports psychologist Patrick Cohn.

Aiming for the next trophy or milestone is important for team unity, but we must nonetheless take time to celebrate personal achievements and small wins. As highlighted by psychologist Lisa Merlo in this TED Talk, happiness and fulfillment bloom in moments of meaning and connection, taking us from worrying to thriving.

When we fixate on any one thing, we risk losing sight of myriad other sources of fulfillment. We forget to appreciate the people and things around us, as expressed here by psychologist Monica Vermani. Conscious presence with our individual worlds invites a greater sense of chemistry and empathy. Such intentional attentiveness binds people and teams together.

Through attentiveness in each moment, we become more present and resilient for ourselves and our teams. We can face setbacks better, allowing for needed support and encouragement in times of challenge. Fulfillment isn’t a finish line to run across but exists in the rhythm of our everyday steps.

It can be won when we actively experience each sprint, each hurdle, or each smile.

“I don’t think about the past or the future. I just live in the moment.”
- Cristiano Ronaldo