Two Things That Drive Parents Nuts

These are the two extremes I see in athletes.

Idle Laziness: this is the one that frustrates parents the most

Manic Busyness: this is the one that ends up deeply concerning parents the most

What is Idle Laziness? Simply put, it's the athlete who says he or she has big goals and dreams, but their actions almost never match those goals. Aside from games or practice, they sit on their phones, they play video games, and their life is all about being comfortable.

One downfall to this one is that they do not reach their full potential. The other downfall I will mention in a moment...

What is Manic Busyness? It's the athlete who is so obsessed with being the best and reaching the pinnacle that they cannot stop to smell the roses, or even see them. 

It's never enough for them. More film, more practice, more camps, more teams, more skills...their love of the sport and desire to be great has become the #1 pursuit of their life-- an idol if you will-- and it's actually keeping them from the best things. 

This person also never reaches his or her full potential because they never play free. They think they are maximizing potential because they work so hard, but it is only when they learn to release control and find joy in the process again that they realize-- "Wow, I did have another level".

My biggest concern and the biggest downfall for both groups is this:

Their primary concern and dominant focus is themselves. 

The idle laziness person is concerned solely about being comfortable and having fun.

The manic busyness person is concerned solely about their own status, accolades, and accomplishments.

This is the very source of your and I's pain (and lack of fulfillment)-- that we spend way too much time thinking about ourselves and how we can feel better.

The athlete who lives in such a way that the person beside them-- their teammate, their brother or sister, the player on the younger team, their coach even-- becomes their waking concern and dominant focus-- that athlete will play free, perform at their highest potential, and be happiest.

Ponder on this one for a while and let me know how it hits.

We are dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential-- and the way to do that is by becoming a servant leader-- a person of impact.

-Coach Andrew

www.andrewjsimpson.com/books