Every January 1, a bunch of you scribble out some rambling thoughts, edit them, re-edit them, take a deep breath and hit send. Some of these messages are lengthy. Some are distilled to a couple of sentences, or just a picture. Some have bullet points and a step-by-step action plan. Some of you share with the group chat. Some go directly to me.
Some of you skip the editing part and let it rip!
Dayne Gingrich, who wrote an excellent book this year Pickleball Mindset, suggested a ready, fire, aim approach. “Announce your future success, either loudly in public or quietly to the mirror. Either way, make it known! Create goals that scare you and design visions that challenge who you currently are, emotionally and physically. Make your targets tiny and force yourself to find excellence in the execution of those visions. Strive for perfection, but know it’s not mandatory. Push for perfection, but understand it may allude you. Let the outside voices of negativity drift silently past, while simultaneously, create an orchestra of positive self talk that directs and sets the tempo of your journey.”
I’m so inspired by the goals you all share in these January messages. I keep these notes to myself. And while I might not send back a lengthy response, I return to these messages endlessly through the year as we work together.Â
In fact, many of you continue to send these notes periodically through the year—your little discoveries, questions, new goals, and plans. A few of you even send a short note after every single clinic, sharing two or three of your take aways. The more a coach understands your inner journey, the better we can help you grow.
My only request is that you begin this exercise by sharing AT LEAST one thing you’re proud of this past year. Your goals don’t need to be overly poetic or even realistic. If your goal is a number—DUPR three or four point whatever by July 1—tell me what that numbers means to you. I love this ambition. However, these are elusive goals to chase. Rather than simply chasing numbers, it’s useful to chase what those numbers represent. Focus on a feeling—or a set of feelings. And then we can figure out the practice and experiences that will let you feel that way more often.Â
“Joy” is a feeling I plan to chase in 2025. “Community” is something I want to build. And I don’t want to be afraid to mess up. We can fail spectacularly and learn and hone and reinvent at any time. When I wrote for ESPN magazine, one of my editors asked why I was drawn to “losers” rather than winners. It never occurred to me I had been written about losing. “Failing” is so much more interesting than conventional success. Failure necessitates examination. The most inspiring people I’ve met approach this examination with a searing honesty—but also a levity. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves. And remember to celebrate the seemingly absurd tiny triumphs.
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