Athletes Must Understand that Adversity is Seasonal
As long as you’re an athlete, there will be another season and as long as there is another season, there is adversity to overcome. Therefore, until the day you decide you no longer want to compete, you must prepare to face adversity.
The adversity of injuries, failure, stagnation, coaching changes, etc., are as much a part of sports as competition. In fact, adversity may be your most difficult competitor as it never quits coming at you unless you quit trying.
This is why the difference between those athletes who succeed and those who fail comes down to one character trait. Persistence!
Persistence is repeatedly pursuing a course of action with the same energy despite adversity. When persistent you stick with the process come hell or high water because you believe the process is the goal.
When an athlete is not persistent, they give up when facing adversity allowing their process to fade into obscurity. Athletes who succeed year after year use persistence to maintain their process until they overcome the adversity and emerge successful.
Unfortunately, adversity is not something athletes must overcome only a few times. The fact is adversity is seasonal. It comes and goes in perpetuity. As a result, being a successful athlete is a journey not a destination. It requires consistent persistence to obtain consistent success.
Not performing at the level you did last season? So what, persist until you do. In rehab again to come back from another injury? So what, persist until the rehab is complete. Failed to win a championship again after trying for the Nth time? So what, persist and try harder next season. Stuck in a performance plateau stopping you from reaching your goals? So what, persist until you breakthrough. Not happy with a coaching change throwing off your routine? So what, persist and find a way to make it work.
There will always be adversity. So, you must either persist or quit. However, as long as you call yourself an athlete, quitting is not an option.