Balance. It is something we all aim for and strive for in life, but it can feel far from achievable. Between our relationships, professional jobs, athletics, and other priorities we have to meet, it can feel like we are in this whirlwind trying to meet all the demands. We often teach athletes that their priority should be their sport alone. Train. Workout. Practice. Eat. Sleep. Compete.. It can feel like there is no time for anything else. Or we tell athletes that if they take time for other priorities in life, they won’t be able to compete. So how do we find balance in life as athletes?
The goal should be to have 100% focus during training and competitions. Not to be focused on your sport 100% of the time. It is okay to have a personal life outside the sport. It is okay to find passion and joy in those around you in your life and in other activities that aren’t your sport. There are a few ways you can see that balance:
- Build a Foundation: Having a foundation is crucial to having not just success in your sport but in life. If you build a foundation as an athlete, you will have something you can always return to when you take time away from yourself. Your foundation allows you to pursue other passions knowing that when you return to training, you will have that foundation you can pick right back up where you left off.
- Figure Out Your Values: Taking the time to figure out what you value most in life will help you build your foundation for both sports and life. It is so important early on to learn what is most important to you, so you never lose sight of those things. Knowing your values allows you to focus on the things that bring you the most happiness and joy. It creates more positivity in your surrounding environment, giving you the mental and physical capacity to take on more. As you develop your goals, ensure they align with your life’s values.
- Find Passions Away from Your Sport: Take time to figure out things you genuinely love away from the game you play. It can be a new hobby, spending time with family, reading, writing, etc. Something that brings you as much joy as the sport that you play. Having multiple passions allows you to branch out and experience new things you might never have thought to chase.
- Set a Schedule: Take the time to develop a schedule for your athletic commitments. Find a good sound schedule that helps you establish routines to keep you focused on your end goals. And most importantly, include time to relax, hang with friends, enjoy time with your family, and pursue other passions you might have outside your sport. Taking time to commit yourself to other important things will help you make sure that you don’t lose your love or passion for your sport by overexerting your focus on one thing to the point that it becomes unenjoyable.
- Take Time to Recharge: This might be the most important one. Know when you have hit a point of high stress and start to feel burned out. Don’t feel bad about taking time for yourself to reset and recharge. Whether it means you miss a workout or miss an activity. Having your foundation, values, and schedule makes it much easier to get right back into things if you take time for yourself. Having the ability to reset will allow you to go back to training better than ever since you are ensuring your energy levels are good to go.
All in all, remember to be easy on yourself. Remember that there is more to life than just your sport. The game you play will always be crucial and play a significant role in your life, but always know that it is okay to have times where you spend your focus on other things you and those you love. The game won’t always be there. But the people that you love around you always will.
