Be Where Your Feet Are

How Comparison Can Kill

You have probably heard the phrase, “You can’t step in the same river twice”. This truism can also be applied to our sports experience.

We do it all the time. Trying to replicate our "best ever (insert here)". The pressure we put on ourselves comparing our season to a season past. We measure our current coach with those we've enjoyed most, rather than embracing what the new coach has to teach us. We compare our teams success to what a previous team accomplished, not factoring in that circumstances and opponents always change. We judge our teammates, rather than embracing their unique gifts. And of course, we constantly compare ourselves to other players.

"Comparison creates an unwinnable standard. It sets us up for disappointment."

Trying to rank our sports experiences (or any experience) causes us to judge each step and detail. We tend to look for what is missing instead of what we have. We measure progress against something that has little bearing on what we can do in the present. Traditions and memories are important, but even when we follow tradition it needs to be with our unique purpose and unique approach.

We need to focus on deeper meaning, and ask ourselves, "What is possible for me on this team, with this coach, with these teammates, this season? Every team experience is worth the journey if we allow it to stand on its own.

Be where your feet are.