Life is like a sport
It’s often said that sports build character. Kids who engage in sports build camaraderie, learn about the spirit of fair play, see the importance of hard work, and develop grit. This holds true several years down the road. Even for us adults, we also reap similar benefits just by engaging in a simple fitness regimen, not just sports in general.
Here are a few ways we can develop that sense of resilience and grit by living an active lifestyle.
Hard work pays off
“No pain, no gain” is a cliché that we’ve all heard multiple times. In a world infected with dopamine addiction and quick gratification, engaging in sports goes against the grain. It reminds us that the things that really matter, the valuable things, take time, effort, and dedication.
These things, such as running a marathon, losing weight, or nailing a new personal record (PR), are important not because of their inherent value but because of the value we give to them. The journey we experience—from the ups and downs to the hard days and sacrifices—teaches us that even if we’re going through a rough patch, it’s not permanent and that things will eventually get better. Remember, it will be worth it.
Consistency is important
In a world where there’s an over-fixation on outcomes and results, it’s easy to devalue the journey that comes with preparing for a specific task. You know why DIY projects are so popular despite being more difficult than they really should be? It’s because we associate the value with the process we went through. Popular sports psychologist Lee Tajonera told me one important phrase that resonates with me pretty well: “Process, then results.”
If we focus on the process, the day-to-day grind, the results will follow. This means nailing the little details will paint the big picture. This can be simple things like making sure we start our session on time, we give our best during each interval, push our body, and rest when we need it.
By focusing on the little things, the things we can easily manipulate and control, we are actually affecting the general outcome and direction. Remember, just like steering a ship, we don’t necessarily navigate by making big changes in direction—but rather, by making minute changes.
Failure is part of it
We can’t always get what we want—that’s a fact of life. There are times when we will fail. Reaching that new PR might be out of the question, or hitting our target weight might not be realistic, at least for now.
But one thing we should remember is that it’s not the end of the world. These failures are only failures if we fail to learn from them. Maybe we didn’t have the right approach, maybe we weren’t as disciplined as we should have been, or maybe our goals should be reevaluated.
Nonetheless, the outcome does not define who we are. The character we reveal despite these setbacks is infinitely more important. Remember, there’s a saying, “Any setback is a setup for a comeback!”
Pace yourself
Whoever said “life is a marathon, not a sprint” nailed it on the head. Any endurance athlete can tell you about the importance of proper pacing: go too hard too early, and you’ll end up bonking. That’s what happens to a lot of people in normal day-to-day events.
When we’re faced with problems or challenges, sometimes we go hard and focus completely on solving them. This, while admirable, is not always the best option. Yes, we need to grind; however, sheer effort will not get the job done.
Sometimes, taking your time can reap benefits. This allows us to understand the situation better, explore other options, and even allow the situation to resolve on its own. By taking a step back, we give ourselves the opportunity to get outside support and sustain the energy we need to dedicate to the problem.
Life is like a sport in many ways. Not only do we learn through the experiences we have, but we also adopt a gritty and determined mindset that helps us be strong and resilient toward any challenge.
