Sometimes I feel like I’m living up to my potential, and at other times I feel like I have a long way to go.
During my sophomore year of high school, I tried out for the basketball team. I was a decent basketball player and played almost every day with my friends at school. I had never thought of trying out, but that year, my friend Ryan (who was a year older and much better at basketball than me) said he was going to try out for the team and invited me to join him.
Our school basketball team was very good. The coach, Bill Hawkins, was one of the best coaches in the state and our team had won several state championships, including the year we we were a 4A team playing in the 5A division.
Anyways, we tried out, and I felt that the first day of tryouts went terribly. My friend and I both agreed that there was no way we would make the team, so neither of us showed up that next day. We never knew if we could have made the cut.
Looking back, I wish I would have gone back. I wish I would have tried out during my 8th and 9th grade years. Wished I would have practiced more, prepared more. I don’t think I would have been a star basketball player, but I think I would have had a fun time and that I had the mindset to play well, work hard, and improve.
I would have loved to play a few more competitive sports in my teenage years. Maybe I could have played competitively into my 20s. I think I would have enjoyed studying the game, working hard to become better. Training, pushing, improving.
Today, I watched a video that gave a “glimpse into the strategy of American Football with one if it’s most outspoken and talented players, Richard Sherman”
I was impressed at how he spend time outside of practice and games to study game recordings, study competition, and watch and review his own performance in the games.
I’ve wondered what parts of my life I can apply that same principle.
I’m currently learning how to code. After watching that video, I wondered:
How could I “study the tape” as an app developer?
A while back, I read a book called App Empire (you can download the PDF, for free, here). He shared the answer to that question.
In a nutshell, he said that as an app developer, studying the App Store rankings is like studying tape as a football player.
That is just one example. While not the same as competitive sports, it provides me yet another opportunity to study the game, working to become better. Training, pushing, improving.
I remind myself that while some opportunities may have passed, many are yet to come. By applying my talents and drive into all areas of my life (mental, physical, spiritual, social, etc.) I can not only excel in the things I choose to do, but can help others, make a positive impact, and make the most of the opportunities and talents that I am given.