trust in the process
Happy Wednesday! On Monday I wrote a post called “do it for Love,” which was all about one of the biggest motivators we have in life: Love. Villanova has won the National Championship for the second time in three years, and I am just over the moon about it.
Have you ever experienced a conversation with a stranger where you found yourself disagreeing with him, though a younger version of you might have agreed? As I was in the checkout line at the local grocery store the other night, buying some wine and snacks for the Villanova game, the store employee started some idle chit chat about the game. He excitedly admitted that he hoped Villanova would have another buzzer beater win like their victory over UNC in 2016. I laughed and told him that I did not want that at all, and he looked at me, puzzled. I continued on, letting him know that I would prefer a steady game where the team played their usual style of calm, consistent basketball. I wanted us to win by 20 with little-to-no drama. He laughed, and so did I.
Have you seen the movie ‘The Fast and the Furious?’ I can’t believe I’m referencing it, either, but here we are. One of my favorite lines in that movie comes from the great Vin Diesel, “It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning’s winning.” Buzzer beater wins are exciting, but they have the same value as a 17 point victory. Some people may not think they are as exciting, but there’s something beautiful about a well-oiled machine. Villanova’s victory earlier this week speaks to something more special than a buzzer-beater upset; it speaks to a solid, consistent team that puts the team’s goals ahead of any individual player. They trust in the process to achieve their goals.
If you played sports growing up, do you remember those times when you were “on” - those games where you were hot and no one could touch you? You were in the zone, and it was like everything you’d ever practiced - the thousands of repetitions of drills - just clicked. There’s no such thing as an overnight success story. We love the Cinderella stories in the NCAA tournament - I loved the Sister Jean and Loyola Chicago storyline - but that team didn’t just come out of nowhere. There are no overnight success stories in life; everything takes time and repetition (and a little bit of luck). It’s all a process.
A beat writer I met while I worked for the Flyers sent out a tweet about Philadelphia having championship parades every three months. I’m so happy I got to see the Eagles win the Super Bowl and go to the parade back in February, and I’m even more excited I get to be in Philly for another parade this week - this time for my Alma Mater. Although a parade every three months is impossible, it’s a wonderful sentiment. I’ve yet to see a Sixers parade or a Flyers parade in my lifetime (though we came so close back in 2010). Here’s to trusting the process and to more time, more repetition, and more championship parades.
Thank you so much for reading, and, as always, if you have any pressing questions or if you want to discuss something further with me, please subscribe below, follow me on Instagram or Twitter, or reach out to me on the “contact” page. I’m so grateful you're here and that I’ve been getting a lot of really challenging questions and even better feedback from a community all over the world. I couldn’t do this without you! So THANK YOU! I’m here for you, and I love hearing from you, too! You’re the best, and you have everything you need inside of you! Please believe it! Starve your ego, feed your soul - and follow your heart!!