I really enjoy playing sports. Although my collegiate time has ended, and I do not receive monetary compensation for my athletic efforts, I still believe in the benefits of competing in a sport. It doesn’t matter which sport it is–basketball, soccer, track, weight lifting, swimming, speed walking, marathons, iron man…or whatever. The most important thing, is that we are focusing on something we enjoy doing. If we do not enjoy it, we will easily stop.
One primary benefit is the natural exercise we obtain from participating. Let’s be honest–most people aren’t up for hitting the gym or the road, for a run. If that were the case, there would be more gyms and they would be packed all day long. The reality is that only a small percentage of people that sign up for gym memberships actually use them. The intent is there, but adding something totally new and making it stick, is hard. If you can find a sport or activity you like to do with other people, you have a greater chance of actually doing it. The friends or family that you decide to compete against, will hold you accountable.
The second major benefit, is the social aspect involved with playing a sport or doing an activity with other people. We are social beings, and connecting with other people boosts our happiness, productivity and overall health. Whenever I play a game with whatever team, there is always time before and after when we all talk to check in with each other. After the game, guys are always a lot more energetic–especially if we win.
Lastly, what I’ve come to realize, is that you can test out personal development tips regarding mindset, in a very effective way. Typically, the positive thinking advice which most personal development authors encourage, is difficult to execute long term in order to see results. In a competitive game situation, you can see the results instantly. You know how powerful your thoughts are, and how it effects your performance and the outcome. It is one of the greatest growth tools. In any other situation, there is a lot of down time–so you end up having to wait to see results. In most cases, people will not see results because it takes too long and they go back to the same patterns they had before. I now realize why players that played for the great coach John Wooden, went on to see great success in their post athletic careers. The lessons they learned were ingrained in them in practice and during games. It worked so well, that they knew how to apply it to every other part of their lives.
The moral of the story is this. Find something you can compete in with other people, that you enjoy. It may be the very thing that takes you to the next level.
Sincerely,
Donny Mateaki
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