Two Things You Have In Softball: A Chance And A Choice

Some things in life are fairly certain. We say with certainty that the sun is bright, the sky is up, and the ground is down.

Now let's use softball as an example. What about the game of softball is certain? For starters, two different teams must play against each other for there to be an official game. Also, one team certainly has to score more runs than the other team to record a win.

How about what is uncertain in the game? Well, it's uncertain who will win, isn't it? Think about that. Just because one team statistically "looks better" than the other team, the chances of that team winning are higher, but it's not certain.

Similarly, one athlete on the team can work harder than all of the other athletes she faces or competes with, and it is not certain that the hard-working athlete will earn a starting spot, is it? But you know what is certain about these scenarios? What you do have? You always have a chance and a choice. Let's dive in.

When you think about playing time, or even your impact on a game, you always have a chance. You may not have control over when that chance will come, but hold fast to the thought that you will have your chance.

You may not get your chance in the scenario or situation you've dreamed of, but you will get your chance to contribute and show what you can do. So you want to be ready! Keep your attention on one day at a time, one practice, one at-bat, and one pitch at a time. Stay in this moment and avoid letting yourself drift into thoughts of the past or worry about things that haven't happened yet.

Every practice, every game, approach with intention and purpose. Prepare as if your chance will be that day. If you don't get your chance that day, it's okay to be disappointed for a moment, but recognize that you made yourself better by staying prepared. This leads me to a second certainty: You always have a choice.

Let's face it. Sometimes you may feel like you don't really have a chance. The last thing I will say about that is every time you step on the field, you have a chance! How you carry yourself, the effort you put in, the way you handle errors and other people, all of it is you showing a coach how you will respond. That leads me to your choice. You always have a choice in how you show up, how you respond, and the effort you put in. We can usually think of this choice as having two options.

The chances and choices you have aren't just for softball. You can think about your chance and choice for any situation and task you approach. So, the next time you pick up your softball gear, before you hit the field or practice area, go ahead and make your choice. How will you approach that session or game? Which choice will you make?

Dr. Megan Buning is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (C.M.P.C.) with over a decade of experience training the mental game.