It Takes a Team

13 years of soccer may have taught me more than most other times in life. It takes a team. Everyone has their role, but if we don’t work together it’s going to fall apart. Shared wins, while recognizing our individual contributions. As goalie, I would beat myself up when we’d lose. But when I finally started listening to my coaches {recognizing they are there to help!} I realized it took failures from the forwards, mid, and defenders to even get to me. We win together and we lose together. Strengthening our individual specialties also strengthened our team. And our aligned determination while having a freaking blast made winning the championship that much more rewarding.

13 years and I always stuck with rec and intramural teams. Why? Because I saw so many friends jump to leagues that were “lead” by individuals only focused on being the champion. There was limited authentic coaching and they were burning out passion faster than a 1 mile run. My love for the game, desire to improve within our league, and the incredible coaches I was lucky enough to have (even my own Dad in the later years!) held me with a squad I knew would fuel me more than a move to elite.

When you are in the presence of a strong leader, embrace every second of it.

When you are living your passion, own it.

My intimidation factor was legit.

{When you get the desire to try a bowl cut, resist it!! But I digress.…see how intimidating I was so early in my soccer career. You’re welcome}

Never feel like you have to make a move {or settle} unless it makes sense for you.

Champions are made from visions, drive, and a desire inside that’s brought out by leaders that see their coachability. Individual skills matter, but we are only successful when we work together. As we have said often in 2020, we are better together.

These are definitely memories worth learning from and holding on to.