It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind of life, and as a result, many people overestimate what they can accomplish in a single day. On the other hand, they often underestimate what they can accomplish in a year. This is especially relevant to student-athletes, who are often balancing their athletic pursuits with their academic and personal lives.
Here's why this concept is important for student athletes to understand:
· It helps you set realistic goals: When you overestimate what you can accomplish in a day, you may set unrealistic goals for yourself. This can lead to frustration and disappointment when you're unable to achieve these goals. By understanding that progress takes time, you can set more realistic and achievable goals for yourself.
· It helps you stay motivated: When you set unrealistic goals, it can be easy to become demotivated when you don't see immediate progress. However, when you understand that progress takes time, you're more likely to stay motivated and keep working towards your goals.
· It helps you avoid burnout: Overestimating what you can accomplish in a day can also lead to burnout. By understanding that progress takes time, you're less likely to try to do too much in a short amount of time and more likely to pace yourself and avoid burnout.
· It helps you see the big picture: When you're focused on the day-to-day, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. By understanding that progress takes time, you're able to keep your long-term goals in mind and stay focused on the bigger picture.
So how can you apply this concept as a student athlete? Here are some tips:
· Set long-term goals: In addition to setting daily goals, make sure to set long-term goals for yourself. This will help you stay motivated and focused on the bigger picture.
· Break your goals down into smaller steps: When you have a big goal, it can be overwhelming to think about achieving it all at once. By breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps, you'll be able to make progress and stay motivated.
· Celebrate small wins: It's important to celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem. This will help you stay motivated and motivated to keep working towards your goals.
· Be patient: Progress takes time, so be patient with yourself. It's okay if you don't see immediate results. Keep working hard and you'll get there eventually.
Remember, progress takes time and effort. Overestimating what you can accomplish in a day and underestimating what you can accomplish in a year can lead to unrealistic expectations, demotivation, burnout, and cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture. To help overcome or avoid this downfalls, set long-term goals, break them down into smaller steps, celebrate small wins, and be patient with yourself. The power of time is on your side. Every day, you are one step closer to achieving your dreams and reaching your full potential. With hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey, because in the end, it will all be worth it.
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Neil Wattier is a Mental Performance Coach leading science-backed performance coaching for athletes at all levels of sport performance. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona and an active member of the United States Air Force Reserve. He has helped individuals and teams realize their full potential while serving as a coach, advisor, and mentor to business executives, senior military leaders, young professionals, youth and adult athletes, fitness professionals, and faith communities.