This weekend as I watched two youth basketball games, I started thinking about the important role basketball has played in my life. Having recently retired from a career working for the Department of the Navy, I often find myself reflecting on my life and my career.
Although this article is about what basketball taught me, my intent is to encourage parents of young children, especially girls, to understand the important life lessons imparted by sports. I also encourage my readers to reflect upon their lives and the role sports played in their career.
I started playing basketball when I was in third grade. Tall, lanky, uncoordinated, and lacking self confidence, I hid behind the defense so my teammates could not throw me the ball. My strategy proved successful! I didn’t take a shot. I didn’t score a point.
My parents recognized my potential even though I could not. My father installed a basketball goal in the cul-de-sac in front of our house. I played basketball everyday. My father, despite working two jobs, spent hours with me on weekends teaching me the game of basketball. My mother often served as my rebounder, passing the ball back to me for another shot.
My hard work paid off and I made the varsity basketball team at Annandale High School as a freshman. My senior year, I was the leading scorer in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, averaging over 25 points per game. I was named to the Washington Post’s All Met Girl’s Basketball Team and I played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball on a Northern Virginia team that placed 2nd in the nation.
Basketball opened the door for me to attend college. I was recruited by several colleges and chose to attend the United States Naval Academy because I wanted to focus on academics and my career. I didn’t know much about the Navy at the time and had no idea I would end up working for the Navy for 38 years.
What I learned from playing basketball enabled me to have a successful career. Here are some thoughts that ran through my head as I watched this weekend’s basketball games.
Basketball taught me perseverance. I worked hard to achieve success in basketball. In my spare time, I practiced. I jumped rope in the morning to improve my coordination (admittedly at my parent’s insistence). On weekends I hung out at the local indoor gym and played in pickup games against better players, typically men.
I tore my anterior cruciate knee ligament with two seconds left in the last pre-season scrimmage my Plebe (freshman) year at the Naval Academy. Perseverance helped me get through the disappointment of missing the entire basketball season. Perseverance got me though seven weeks in a full length plaster cast followed by six more weeks in a knee brace. Perseverance enabled me to build my strength and play basketball again the following season. My success in basketball taught me that perseverance pays off. The reward may not be immediate, but it will come.
By playing basketball, I learned how to set and achieve goals. I also gained skills in concentration and focus. I repeated my moves and shots over and over again and established productive habits.
Basketball taught me to be coachable and to be able to take constructive feedback. I could have scored 40 points in a game, yet my father would point out areas for improvement. I learned to continually look for ways to improve and developed high standards for myself. My ability to be coachable, respond positively to constructive feedback, and learn from my mistakes, served me well throughout my career. I listened to feedback from supervisors, mentors, co-workers, and employees and made necessary adjustments along the way.
Basketball taught me how to be a team player and to get along with others. A team that relies solely on the strength and abilities of one player will not be successful in the long run. A successful team blends the strengths of each team member. Teamwork fosters creativity and learning and builds trust. In today’s work environment, teamwork is essential to accomplish the overall objectives and goals of an organization. Teamwork requires communication and enables a team to be flexible and adaptable. The coach may call a specific play, but the players must adjust to the defense and do what makes sense to score points. These are necessary skills in today’s fast paced, continuously changing, work environment.
Basketball gave me lessons in leadership. I was honored to be the team captain my senior year in High School and my Firstie (senior) year at the Naval Academy. Leadership doesn’t just come from the top however. We are all leaders and our actions speak louder than words. I demonstrated leadership by arriving to practice on time, by giving my all in practice and games, by listening to my teammates and coaches and making adjustments as necessary, by displaying a positive attitude, and being a team player. These leadership lessons contributed to my successful career.
Perhaps my basketball experiences led me to start the Onward Podcast. I love to hear my guest’s stories of overcoming adversity, of perseverance. I serve as a personal life coach and small business consultant because I find deep satisfaction in helping others realize their potential and achieve their goals.
I’m curious, what life lessons did sports teach you?
How Basketball Contributed to My Successful Career
This weekend as I watched two youth basketball games, I started thinking about the important role basketball has played in my life. Having recently retired from a career working for the Department of the Navy, I often find myself reflecting on my life and my career.
Although this article is about what basketball taught me, my intent is to encourage parents of young children, especially girls, to understand the important life lessons imparted by sports. I also encourage my readers to reflect upon their lives and the role sports played in their career.
I started playing basketball when I was in third grade. Tall, lanky, uncoordinated, and lacking self confidence, I hid behind the defense so my teammates could not throw me the ball. My strategy proved successful! I didn’t take a shot. I didn’t score a point.
My parents recognized my potential even though I could not. My father installed a basketball goal in the cul-de-sac in front of our house. I played basketball everyday. My father, despite working two jobs, spent hours with me on weekends teaching me the game of basketball. My mother often served as my rebounder, passing the ball back to me for another shot.
My hard work paid off and I made the varsity basketball team at Annandale High School as a freshman. My senior year, I was the leading scorer in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, averaging over 25 points per game. I was named to the Washington Post’s All Met Girl’s Basketball Team and I played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball on a Northern Virginia team that placed 2nd in the nation.
Basketball opened the door for me to attend college. I was recruited by several colleges and chose to attend the United States Naval Academy because I wanted to focus on academics and my career. I didn’t know much about the Navy at the time and had no idea I would end up working for the Navy for 38 years.
What I learned from playing basketball enabled me to have a successful career. Here are some thoughts that ran through my head as I watched this weekend’s basketball games.
Basketball taught me perseverance. I worked hard to achieve success in basketball. In my spare time, I practiced. I jumped rope in the morning to improve my coordination (admittedly at my parent’s insistence). On weekends I hung out at the local indoor gym and played in pickup games against better players, typically men.
I tore my anterior cruciate knee ligament with two seconds left in the last pre-season scrimmage my Plebe (freshman) year at the Naval Academy. Perseverance helped me get through the disappointment of missing the entire basketball season. Perseverance got me though seven weeks in a full length plaster cast followed by six more weeks in a knee brace. Perseverance enabled me to build my strength and play basketball again the following season. My success in basketball taught me that perseverance pays off. The reward may not be immediate, but it will come.
By playing basketball, I learned how to set and achieve goals. I also gained skills in concentration and focus. I repeated my moves and shots over and over again and established productive habits.
Basketball taught me to be coachable and to be able to take constructive feedback. I could have scored 40 points in a game, yet my father would point out areas for improvement. I learned to continually look for ways to improve and developed high standards for myself. My ability to be coachable, respond positively to constructive feedback, and learn from my mistakes, served me well throughout my career. I listened to feedback from supervisors, mentors, co-workers, and employees and made necessary adjustments along the way.
Basketball taught me how to be a team player and to get along with others. A team that relies solely on the strength and abilities of one player will not be successful in the long run. A successful team blends the strengths of each team member. Teamwork fosters creativity and learning and builds trust. In today’s work environment, teamwork is essential to accomplish the overall objectives and goals of an organization. Teamwork requires communication and enables a team to be flexible and adaptable. The coach may call a specific play, but the players must adjust to the defense and do what makes sense to score points. These are necessary skills in today’s fast paced, continuously changing, work environment.
Basketball gave me lessons in leadership. I was honored to be the team captain my senior year in High School and my Firstie (senior) year at the Naval Academy. Leadership doesn’t just come from the top however. We are all leaders and our actions speak louder than words. I demonstrated leadership by arriving to practice on time, by giving my all in practice and games, by listening to my teammates and coaches and making adjustments as necessary, by displaying a positive attitude, and being a team player. These leadership lessons contributed to my successful career.
Perhaps my basketball experiences led me to start the Onward Podcast. I love to hear my guest’s stories of overcoming adversity, of perseverance. I serve as a personal life coach and small business consultant because I find deep satisfaction in helping others realize their potential and achieve their goals.
I’m curious, what life lessons did sports teach you?