This one is easy for me. I have never been able to turn down a great slice of cake, cookie, scoop of ice cream or any other sweet treat. When I know there is a delicious dessert, I will make sure not to fill up on dinner so I can enjoy a sweet treat.
How does this analogy help Freshman Athletes?
It reminds us to never be too full of yourself to ask questions, listen, and learn..
Ted Lasso brought Walt Whitman’s quote (and the mindset that goes with it) with him to London to manage AFC Richmond in the AppleTV instant hit Ted Lasso. Ted's “Be Curious not Judgmental" speech in Ep. 8 drives home the importance of asking questions and being a listener. Curiosity is a strong desire to know or learn something. The best leaders are learners. They are never so full that they don’t have room to learn, ask questions and take on new information.
This goes directly against what many people expect from leaders. There is a common thought that the leader is supposed to have all the answers, tell us what to do, and when to do it. But knowing everything is not what makes a leader. The best leaders are always learning. They are listening. They are preparing. But that preparation will always leave them the space to adapt, improvise, learn and grow.
To be a leader, you should think like a surfer. When a surfer heads out for a session, they are heading into the unknown. The waves will never be the same as they were yesterday. The surfer is prepared with all the basic skills but needs to leave that room for improvisation, learning, and growth depending on what Mother Nature will throw out on the day. The surfer thrives on that unexpected challenge that could lead to something amazing and new. Every set is different. Every wave presents a new challenge and new opportunity to learn.
As a freshman, you will be encountering many new waves. You have a foundation of learning and skills, but each day and new experience will allow you to grow and challenge yourself. For the next year, there will be many firsts. Enjoy them.
Learn. Ask questions. Be Curious. Get out and surf. Never be so full that you miss an opportunity to grow.
STAY HUNGRY. SAVE ROOM FOR DESERT.
Be the BEST, Be YOUR BEST, BE YOU TO THE MAX.
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