Tuesday, September 24, 2013

What is an athlete?

What is an athlete? That is a very good question and I am sure many people have different viewpoints on it. I am going to explain what I think an athlete is. An athlete is someone who is very dedicated to their self, their team and to the sport they love. An athlete is someone who is a hard worker, committed, tough minded, a competitor. An athlete puts in hours of preparation and sacrifices so much to be the best that they can be. An athlete is disciplined. An athlete is strong willed, passionate, coachable, can accept criticism and strives to improve each and every day. An athlete wants to work on their weaknesses as well as their strengths. An athlete competes to the best of their ability. An athlete is a goal setter. An athlete brings out the best in their teammates. An athlete is a leader and has internal motivation. An athlete is a way of life. An athlete puts their heart and mind to the team first. An athlete practices with the same passion as they do in a game. An athlete does not take a play off. An athlete knows how to face adversity and overcoming it. Dealing with adversity is a true sign of character. An athlete gives 100% all the time and never gives up. Giving up is not imaginable or tolerable for an athlete. An athlete never has excuses. It is not accepted within themselves. They take responsibilities for their own actions or choices. An athlete never blames anyone. They figure out what they can do better to help the team.
How many times have you seen someone who is on a team but is out of shape, their attitude is okay with just being average, they come to practice but never too early and never work on their sport in the off season?  Being an athlete is more than just putting on a uniform and being part of a team. There are so many sacrifices athletes have to make and are you willing to make those.
Desire is something that every athlete has. You should have a burning desire inside of yourself. Any athlete should want to dominate in their sport. Competing is huge for an athlete. Athletes get up after they have been hit with a setback. An athlete should want to win and expect to win each time they go out on a field or court. Who wants the ball in the closing seconds to make that free throw or who wants to try and get the winning hit at the plate when the count is 3 balls and 2 strikes with 2 outs? Athletes want that chance. They don't shy away from it. Athletes have also put the work in to give themselves a chance to win. Athletes refuse to lose.
Everything an athlete does such as setting goals, dedicates, sacrifices, overcoming adversity, determination are all foundations for a successful future in life. Being an athlete opens up opportunities for you and gives you the chance to do something special in your life. You should be really proud to call yourself an athlete if you truly are one because it is a gift.


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