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Funny
word. Sacrifice. What does it mean? The oxford dictionary defines
sacrifice as ‘Voluntary
relinquishing of something valued for the sake of something else more
important or worthy’. But
to everyone sacrifice will mean a different thing. Each person with
their own stories of success made all the greater by the obstacles
faced and overcome. We can determine what people value by what there
prepared to sacrifice. If we exceed at something easily what do we
learn? What have we sacrificed to get to where we are? Is it just the
easy option? Don’t get me wrong, just because you’ve got there
easily doesn’t mean you haven’t work or sacrificed but what have
your struggles taught you on your journey?
Sacrifice.
I make particular reference to the athletes of the world. Anyone who
has participated in sport will understand what I am about to say and
for some you wont. Most will remember being involved in a sport as a
youngster. Saturday or Sunday mornings will have arrived. The early
mornings, the uniform, the warm up, the orange peels, the encouraging
parents and eventually the game. You remember running out onto that
field or stepping up to the blocks for your first race. Your heart is
beating a thousand times a minute. You’re not scared but simply
excited at an opportunity to kick a ball as hard as you can or jump
off a swimming block into a pool of water. Regardless of the outcome
the main thing is that you had fun and can’t wait for next week just
so you can play with your friends again.
But
soon you get older moving your way through primary school – and then
the training begins. Those days after school when you’d rather be at
home watching television…. And for some the alternative is more
appealing, thus being faced with our first obstacle to overcome. So we
move on, continuing to grow older, moving our way through high school.
As we move through more obstacles and distractions detract our
attention from our goals. Parties, studies, girlfriends, boyfriends,
shopping, play station or that late night movie that you just had to
stay up and watch. And again comes yet another round of people who
simply decide that the sport isn’t for them or they loose interest
in what could have been a highly successful career. It’s at this
point that your opponents begin to thin out. Less and less people are
still involved with sport as they get older.
But
you continue to push forward with your goal to be the best. Your
training has now dramatically increased and takes up most of your
spare time. You’re now fully dedicated to becoming the best you can
be. Your goals are set and you’re aiming for the top. The plan is
set now all you have to do is follow it. What time you do have free is
often spent at home recovering from the painful training earlier.
Assuming
you reach the top, you’re now regarded as one of Australia’s best
and are considered an elite athlete. Constant travel, training and
study restraints leave you exhausted. But in order to get to the top,
you’ve given everything you’ve got, but somehow to be the absolute
best you MUST find more. What goes on upstairs plays a vital role in
sport. You may be the best prepared but a negative thought may result
in disaster. Emotions particularly play a vital role. Focus is the
key. The best mental preparation I’ve ever heard is be a robot.
Focus on the task; cut your emotions away.
Any
athlete can tell you stories of sacrifice. Time spent away from
families, missing friends parties or leaving early, waking up early,
getting to bed late, watching what we eat, ensuring we’re in our
best shape, pushing ourselves to the limit, the list could go on. But
at an elite level nearly all athletes are of the same caliber. What
determines who is glorified and who is forgotten? Sacrifice. What have
you given up to beat the rest? Do you leave training early to get the
showers? Could you have pushed yourself faster and harder? Have you
given it everything during your sets? You need ask yourself these
questions during your training so you don’t win by chance you win
because you deserve it. This is YOUR
house. You live here. If they want to beat you they have to be
able to go through your struggles…and more to be the best.
Second
place is the first loser. Be the best you can. Strive for great
heights. If your beaten, and know you’ve given everything both in
your mental approach and your training, don’t be disappointed, this
is the best you can give, that’s all anyone can ask of themselves. A
true sportsman admires a true champion. You may not have been beaten
by a better athlete, just by someone who has dedicated themselves
more.
Matt
Lenton
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