Let It Flow

Of the many manipulations I used to employ as a coach in order to better our team's odds of success, the one that always proved to be magically effective was this: 

Just go play. 

We spend a ridiculous amount of time in practice working on the details necessary for success. Hard work will always pay a dividend regardless of your chosen sport. Or business, or relationship or passion. Hiding just beneath the outer layer of sincere effort lies the dedication to detail that empowers the skills that uncover yet another layer, the one of confidence. 

All the practice, every session, drill after drill, the total sphere of a wholesome quest is the easy part. The bumps, bruises, sprains, bad breaks and twists of fate create the testing ground absolutely necessary for the level of improvements required to compete at this level. Whatever and whatever that level is. It is YOUR place in THIS time. The biggest play in the biggest game is THIS one. 

To complete the onion skin analogue and closing the two-part example, is the game-day yang to the practice time yin. The adage that you cannot have one without the other is particularly appropriate in this metaphorical juxtaposition. Because when - and only when - one has done EVERYTHING right in practice, all one can do is to then JUST GO PLAY. Forget the ritual, lose the structure (forgive me), unleash the rabid dog and let the bird fly free. Have the trust in your training and coaching, take the field with confidence and swagger, and commit to your team goal as an individual capable of leadership, courage and grace under fire. These traits, what we call the Athletic Character Quotient, have the potential to inspire and motivate. Put the number one on your bike or back. Then prove it. 

Whether you compete in an individual sport or as part of a team, the ability to let it go and let it flow is often the defining trait that proves who pretends and who contends. Please ask yourself exactly which type of athlete you are. And then:

Work hard in practice, learn all you can, commit to your continual improvement, assist others, inspire by demonstration, walk the walk, do the tertiary things that champions do, dream the highest dream. And then - come game day, race day, or simply whenever necessary - Just go and play.

Let it go and let it flow.