The Quality of Perspective

Doug Howard, former basketball player at the College of William and Mary, was named team captain his senior year. 

"A quality that has carried over with me is always having proper perspective. Playing on a college team no matter what was going on in my life, or whether I was playing or not forced me to keep working hard every day.  I had to always have great perspective on how fortunate I was to be playing and how many people would love to be in my shoes. This ability to be grateful has carried with me and allows me to not feel sorry for myself."

Perspective is huge for any college athlete. The opportunity to play collegiate sports is a luxury the vast majority of the population will never experience. It is important to count the blessings given to you simply by being able to practice.

 Looking at the "big picture" prioritizes your responsibilities as a student-athlete. Do not mistake perspective as a passive act. Rather attack your goals as a student-athlete, but with a foresight as to why they are your goals in the first place.

Perspective is a form of gratitude. This gratitude allows you to stay in the moment whenever you feel overwhelmed by a situation. Instead of looking at a problematic situation as negative, take a step back and look at the opportunities the problem opens up.

For instance, not getting the playing time you think you deserve is a problem. Instead of pouting and ruminating over why the coach likes Player A over you, step up and ask for a moment of your coaches time to plead your case. Present the facts as to why you believe you should be playing more without putting down the teammate you wish to replace. Have evidence as to why you feel like you are the best option for the team. If the coach is still not sold on you, ask what you specifically have to do in order to gain more playing time. This holds your coach accountable by laying a roadmap for you to be in the lineup.

This case study might seem specific to a sports scenario, but doing an act like this teaches you many things. First, you face the common fear of confrontation and stand up for yourself.  Second, you put together an evidence based presentation as to why you are the best candidate. Third, you gain clarity as to what you must do in order to accomplish your goal.  All of these aspects can then be transferred to the workforce when you must present a case to your boss in order to get that promotion or any other situation. 

Look for small victories and micro-lessons within every situation you deem negative.  This in turn will provide you with proper perspective moving forward.