Practice, Practice, Practice

I had the enjoyable opportunity to watch a local youth baseball game this weekend. These were 9-11 year olds, the minor leagues. There’s no more tee, no pitching by the friendly coach. This is baseball. This is when coaches begin to find their prize players. This is the in-house league. The talent is scouted for travel baseball try-outs. Travel baseball is for the really good players. Long story short, if you don’t play travel by third or fourth grade, your chances of playing ball in junior high or high school are slim to none.

Understanding how my local community baseball league is operated has led me to the realization that in today’s society it’s much easier to be an adult than it is to be a kid.

Baseball is no longer a bunch of little kids running around playing. The kids participate in intense practices. Some kids go to clinics or camps to learn how to play better. Some parents hire coaches at $100 per hour to help their children with fundamentals.

I wonder what our society would be like if more parents took this same approach (intense practices) to teaching their children the fundamentals of exercise, nutrition, money management, wealth building, and having good self-esteem.

Please do not misunderstand me. I think sports are great, and there are many lessons children can learn from playing sports. And one of the most important aspects of playing sports is practicing.

In fact, practice is extremely important for everything you do – whether you are starting a business, trying to achieve happiness, or training for life. You don’t always get it right, but half the battle is won just by showing up.

Let’s take a look at how practice can apply to real life. I have been helping a 42-year-old client train for a 5k run (3 plus miles). When I started with this individual he was 10 pounds overweight, not too bad, but enough to hamper his run. When he first started to run he had pain in his lower back and both knees. He began to discipline himself with exercises I personally developed for his knees and back. He practiced these movements every day until they became second nature. At times he would grumble and groan about practicing, but after a few weeks I heard less complaints and his running improved. Although some practices were hard, he muddled through and did his best.

By applying these same principles of practice (showing up every day, doing your best, learning new strategies, not worrying about failing) to building a healthy, happy and wealthy life, you are bound to succeed.

Just show up and do your best!

To Your Health, Wealth & Happiness!

Dr. Michael Kaye