I absolutely LOVE football.
It is one of my favorite sports and one of my favorite parts of fall. In fact, when I was a little girl, I was CONVINCED I was going to grow up to be a football player. Because that's every kid's dream right?
But really, there is nothing quite like waking up on a crisp fall morning, putting on a pair of jeans and a football jersey, and knowing that its game day.
The cookouts and camaraderie shared by football fans everywhere creates an atmosphere unlike any other time of year. There is just something about this excitement and ambiance that is electrifying.
AND THE GAME. For me, the game itself really is the most exciting part of the entire sport. Football is packed full of incredible nail-biting and jaw-dropping moments.
So when I started thinking about just how much I loved football, I started to realize just how much it parallels my life. As silly as it sounds, there are MILLIONS of lessons in football that we can apply to ourselves in our lives.
From the simplest things such as hard work and team work, football can be translated into analogy for life.
Consider this: a football game is kind of like a year.
THE FIRST QUARTER: January, February, March.
Coming out into a new game, a new year. Everyone is excited. The players, the coaches, the fans. You want to start off strong. The first moments of the game can set a momentum that will set the tone for the rest of the match.
This is like the beginning of the new year. Turning the page on a new chapter, everyone sets their goals on what they want to accomplish in the new year and they are excited for a new start.
Make your game plan. Set your goals. Hit the ground running. LET’S GO.
THE SECOND QUARTER: April, May, June.
t’s still early. No matter what is going on in the game right at this point, there is still plenty of time left. The first quarter may not have gone exactly as planned, or it could have gone even better, but either way the important thing about the second quarter is settling into a rhythm.
If things aren’t going your way: there is still time left. Anything can happen. I mean, you’re not even halfway through the game yet.
You settle in. You find a rhythm. You continue to push yourself. YEAH BABY.
THE THIRD QUARTER: July, August, September.
It’s the start of the second half. No matter how the first half of the game was played, there is still an equal amount of time remaining. If things didn’t go as planned, there’s still time to turn it around, to find a new game plan. If things are going well, continue to take that momentum into the second half. There is still a lot of football left to play.
Refocus. Keep grinding. Find the momentum. ITS GAME TIME.
THE FOURTH QUARTER: October, November, December.
The final quarter of the game. It all comes down to this. Time is running out but the important thing is that there is still time left. This is the most critical quarter of the game because anything is up for grabs. Anything can happen.
So as the last three months of the year are upon us, we are in the final quarter of the year: the fourth quarter of the game. What are you going to do to secure the ‘W’? What are you going to do to finish off strong?
THE GAME PLAN
Evaluate the situation.
Figure out where you stand in your life right now. Are you ahead or behind? Have you taken a commanding lead or are you down? No matter what the situation is, there is still time left.
There is still an entire quarter left to take control and make change happen. No matter how down you are, it’s not over until it’s over!
There is still time to make a comeback. Don’t give up yet. Don’t wait until next time. There is time for you to rally back right now. There is still time to make this YOUR YEAR.
Remember you are on a team.
Just as on a football team, you are not alone in life.
There are people all around you who love and support you: they are your teammates.
Putting the weight of an entire game on your shoulders is EXHAUSTING, so lean on the people around you! Whether the teammates are on the field with you or cheering along on the sidelines, there are people to support you in all different ways.
Look for the coaches. There are people out there to give you advice when you need it. Look for them! Whether this is a family member, friend, teacher, or boss, there are people out there who will help you win this game.
Lastly don’t forget there are fans out there who are rooting you. Your friends, family, co-workers, and even people you barley know are all cheering for you. Sure, there will be haters out there, but let the haters hate and focus on the people rooting for you.
Even when you feel like there is no one on your side, I am right here and I am your NUMBER ONE FAN. There is nothing more I want than to see you succeed. I know you can do this, so LETS GO!
Defense wins championships.
Sometimes we get so caught up in wanting to score that we forget how to play the game. Scoring is important, but so is stopping the other team from scoring.
But how do we play defense in life?
Change the momentum of the game. If you’re feeling down, change your negative outlook into a positive one. Give life a challenge. Don’t let the hardships of life overtake you so easily; don’t let life win so easily.
Make big plays on the defensive side. If life tries to throw another big problem at you? Intercept it. If life gives you the opportunity to make a big play? Make it. Take control of things and don’t let them control you.
Although there are always external obstacles standing in your way, and life always seems to throw you curve balls, take control of the game. Control what you can control, and focus on the things you can do. Don’t obsess over the things you can’t control.
Transform your mindset and transform your life. See yourself as controlling your life not your life controlling you. You are the only one in control of you, so take control and make life what you want it to be!
Don’t be afraid to make big plays.
Take risks.
Never be afraid to try something new or crazy, because it just might change the game.
You really do miss all of the shots you don’t take so take every change you get. Sure, some of the passes you throw may not get caught, but if you never throw them, they 100% never will be.
The clock is ticking so don’t wait. Don’t wait for the big plays to happen: make them happen!
Don’t give up before it’s over.
If you had a penny for every time I said the phrase “there is still time left” or “it’s not over until it’s over” you would probably be a millionaire. But its so true!
It’s easy to say, at this point I might as well wait until next year. But there is STILL 25% of the game left. There is still time to turn everything around.
Even if you are ahead, keep grinding. It’s easy to lose motivation and stop trying as hard, but there is still time left. Keep pushing all the way to the end.
Throw the Hail Mary.
When it comes down to it, take a big risk. It might be a long shot, but there is still a chance (no matter how small) that it will work. Just have faith.
This is the last chance to win the game, so go for it. What is there to loose?
Win or Lose, know that you gave it your all.
No matter how the year turns out, know that you gave it your best. Know that you did everything in your power to make it end up the way you wanted it to. Don’t finish the year out with regrets.
And remember, this is only one game or one year. There will be wins and there will be losses, but you still have your whole season and your whole life ahead of you.
Don’t define yourself based on one game, but use the lessons from this one to prepare for the next.
Go out there and win the game.
With that I leave you to it. Go out there and give it your all. I AM ROOTING FOR YOU. I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND KILL IT.
Remain strong. Don’t give up. It’s not over until its over. LETS GO OUT THERE AND WIN.