Learn This Or Your Career Will Suffer
How to use setbacks as fuel for major comebacks!
Hey FootyFam,
Excited to share today’s message with 303 action-taking ballers
Today I will share a personal story about overcoming setbacks
The whole issue will take no longer than 5 minutes to read
Let’s get into it.
Even though I am smiling, this picture was taken before one of the toughest moments in my career
I remember it like it was yesterday…
After performing well in our nations league campaign and finishing second
My Barbados men’s national team qualified for a playoff game for the Concacaf Gold Cup
We have never made it to the gold cup before, so this was a huge opportunity
As a player, I was thinking this was the stage I needed to be on to get scouted…finally
What could go wrong?
In the weeks leading up to the game I was motivated, training well and performing in training
Having played most of the qualifying games, I could not wait to step onto the field against Bermuda
The chance to play on Beckham’s new field in Miami is all I thought about the night before the game
Then came game day
I went through my regular pre game routine and just before warm up the team was called
As a defender I was usually one of the first names called
To my surprise, 11 names later, I did not hear mine
My stomach sank
I kept a good attitude and refocused on staying mentally engaged in case I got my chance
The bad quickly went to worse
1 minute into the first half, actually, 20 seconds into the first half, we conceded a goal
My stomach churned again, I felt sick
The opportunity I had worked so hard for was disappearing in front of my eyes
We conceded again, then again and again
When the full time whistle blew, the scoreline read 8-0 to Bermuda
My sadness quickly turned to anger
After everything I had been through, not only did we lose, but I didn't even get to play 1 minute
Words can’t explain how I felt but the next few days forced me to reconsider my goals as I seriously considered quitting my national team
Even though this was a tragic experience for me, I learned 3 things I want to pass onto you in case you go through a similar scenario in your life:
1. Don’t Take It Personally
The truth is, no one actually wants to stop you from achieving your goals
Every person is doing the best they can with the information available to them
In football you have to trust in your coaches and teammates
People make bad decisions, it does not mean they meant to personally harm you or your future
2. Let It Go
It took me 1-2 months to let go of the negative emotions around my team and coach
After finally letting go, I realized I can never let myself stay uneasy about a situation that long
Letting go is freeing
It allows you to forgive any negative past feelings but most importantly it allows you to refocus on the things you need to do to move forward again
3. Be Patient
Football is tricky because you never know when your chance will come
You have to be ready at every practice and game
Waiting a long time for a breakthrough can leave you feeling exhausted and as though you’re wasting time
This is why we believe that the focus should be on becoming the best version of yourself
No matter what happens in football, this attitude will allow you to be successful in all aspects of your life
Be patient, take risks, allow time for the bad times to turn into the best times!
Here are the two ways we can help you improve when you are ready:
Overcome setbacks and refocus on growth using mindful practices here.
Learn about college soccer and everything you need to succeed in the US system here.
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That is all for today friends
Until next time
Take care
Carl @ FootyTutor
Be The Best You Can Be