A few years ago I got this photo from an athlete I used to coach. The photo is one of my favorites and was sent to me by Melania Sauma, formerly on the Arizona State Racquetball team.
The picture came to me at the same time I received an email from one of my athletes. The gist of the email was, “Why do I do all of this work only to enter a tournament and get destroyed by a player my same age who has been playing five years longer than me? What’s the use? I will never be able to beat this player.”
I sent this young player the photograph. I explained this young woman is looking up to the top of the mountain. That is like you looking to where you want to go. I looks impossible. If the same person looks down to the ground in front of them and takes a step the peak is there but not the focus. It is the step that counts, not getting to the summit. If one takes it step by step one will reach the summit.
This photo is the perfect metaphor for that climb to excellence no matter what field of work or sports we participate in.
Go Get’em tigers!!